The Supreme Court of Nigeria has barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other government agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with court orders.
In a one-hour, thirty-six-minute judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, a five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The court ordered Amaewhule and other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume sitting immediately.
The apex court ruled that it was an aberration for Governor Fubara to have presented an appropriation bill to a four-man House of Assembly, thereby denying representation to 28 constituencies in violation of a court order.
The court further described Fubara’s actions regarding the alleged defection of 28 lawmakers as “brigandage and dictatorship,” aimed at obstructing the House from performing its constitutional duties.
Additionally, the court condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as an act of “executive indiscipline and excessive use of power” meant to frustrate legislative functions.
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court nullified the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the election grossly violated the Electoral Act, citing:
- Non-compliance with electoral guidelines
- Continued voter registration after the election date was announced
- Breach of Section 150 of the Electoral Act
The court declared the election null and void, stating that the process was deeply flawed and lacked credibility.
The political crisis in Rivers State stems from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The crisis split the House of Assembly, with 27 lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, remaining loyal to Wike, while four lawmakers, led by Edison Ehie, sided with Fubara.
The feud led to:
- Parallel House sittings
- An impeachment plot against the governor
- The demolition of the Assembly complex
- Resignations of pro-Wike commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had earlier affirmed the ruling of the Federal High Court, which nullified the N800 billion budget passed by the five-member House of Assembly led by Edison Ehie.
Dismissing Fubara’s appeal for lack of merit, the appellate court ruled that:
- Fubara withdrew his counter-affidavit at the trial court, making him ineligible to appeal the decision.
- The governor must abide by the rule of law, not the rule of might.
- His actions amounted to executive dictatorship and a disregard for constitutional order.
