The political debacle in Rivers State which brought all sides to the conflict to Nigeria’s Apex Court, the Supreme Court has resulted in what could be described by the late Afro beat King Fela Anikulapo Kuti as double wahala for dead body as it’s verdict dealt a deadly blow Governor Sim Fubara and his group.
In a judgement delivered this Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop release of funds to Rivers State government forthwith until a proper House of Assembly is constituted.
The apex court barred the Accountant General of the Federation and other government agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with previous court rulings.
The Supreme Court ruled that its order will remain in effect until a properly constituted House of Assembly is established in Rivers State while also ordering Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with all elected members.
Delivering judgement, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye and the five-member panel unanimously dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The Supreme Court kampooned Governor Fubara for presenting the 2024 appropriation bill before a four-member Assembly, stating that the move denied 28 constituencies proper representation and violated an earlier court directive requiring him to present the budget before a validly constituted Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership.
The court further condemned Fubara’s actions regarding the alleged defection of 28 lawmakers, describing them as acts of political intimidation and dictatorship aimed at preventing the legislature from functioning.
Furthermore, the court ruled that the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex under Fubara’s directive was an abuse of executive power intended to obstruct legislative proceedings.
Reacting to the judgement while answering questions from Journalists, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, deserves to be impeached.
