In a decisive ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to immediately suspend all financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
This order follows the Court’s finding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had engaged in multiple illegal and unconstitutional actions, which have undermined the state’s legislative framework.
The Supreme Court’s directive will remain in effect until Governor Fubara ceases these activities, particularly those that have disrupted the functioning of the state’s legislative processes.
The Court underscored that no further funds should be disbursed to the Rivers State Government until a legitimate Appropriation Law is passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, as required by law. This move aims to restore proper governance and fiscal accountability in the state.
Delivering the unanimous judgment, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim criticized the governor for his unlawful actions, including the demolition of the state’s House of Assembly to prevent lawmakers from performing their duties.
The Court described these actions as a clear violation of the rule of law and a direct attack on democratic processes.
In addition, the five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Musa Uwani Aba-Aji, ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who had been unlawfully sidelined by Governor Fubara’s administration. The Court also directed that the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, who had been unjustly removed, be reinstated along with other assembly staff.
The Court reprimanded Governor Fubara for operating with just four of the 32 assembly members, citing unfounded fears of impeachment as a basis for this unconstitutional arrangement.
The Justices stressed that this manipulation of the legislative body, facilitated by the governor’s misuse of constitutional immunity under Section 308, was a blatant distortion of the state’s governance structure.
The ruling upheld earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, which had declared Fubara’s actions unlawful.
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The Federal High Court had previously ruled that the handling of monthly financial allocations and the presentation of the 2024 budget to a truncated House of Assembly were in violation of constitutional principles.
As part of the Court’s ruling, Governor Fubara has been fined N10 million, which is to be paid to the 27 lawmakers who challenged his unlawful actions.
The Court concluded that the governor’s failure to comply with constitutional procedures, including the enactment of a legitimate budget, constituted a severe breach of public trust and governance standards.
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