In a landmark judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget by a group of four-member legislators were voided and set aside.
The court ordered Governor Siminalaye Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Key points from the judgment include:
- The court quashed the withholding of the House of Assembly fund, declaring that the governor has no constitutional power to do so.
- Governor Fubara was restrained from frustrating the House of Assembly under Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.
- The redeployment of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk done by the Governor was declared null and void and was set aside.
- The Inspector General of Police was ordered to immediately give adequate security to the Speaker and legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
- The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk were ordered to resume office immediately and unhindered.
- The National Assembly was barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting or treating any request from Governor Fubara.
- Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule.
Naturenex reports that all the issues in dispute were resolved in favor of Wike’s loyalists. The court’s decision is expected to bring stability to the Rivers State House of Assembly and ensure the smooth passage of the 2024 budget.
