Court voids Fubara’s Rivers State 2024 budget approval

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

The Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the presentation and approval of the 2024 budget of Rivers State by a group of four legislators.

Justice James Omotoso, delivering the judgment, mandated Governor Siminalaye Fubara to re-present the budget to the duly constituted House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

Justice Omotoso dismissed the withholding of Assembly funds, asserting it lacked constitutional authority. The court also prohibited Governor Fubara from obstructing the Assembly under Amaewhule and nullified the redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk.

ALSO READ

• NYSC appeals for support to safeguard national service from unqualified graduates
• Tinubu calls for review of global tax system
• 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼 𝗢𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗿𝗶 𝗼𝗻 𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 b𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆

Furthermore, the Inspector General of Police was directed to ensure adequate security for Speaker Amaewhule and legislators aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The court ordered the immediate and unrestricted resumption of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to their offices.

The National Assembly was forbidden from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or entertaining any requests from Governor Fubara.

Additionally, Governor Fubara was instructed to release all funds credited to the House of Assembly to Speaker Martin Amaewhule.