In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the 2024 Appropriation Bill of Rivers State. The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho today, declared the budget invalid due to improper presentation before the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Omotosho recognized Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly and criticized Governor Fubara for interfering in the legislative affairs. The court ruled that the governor’s actions, including the redeployment of the Assembly’s Clerk and Deputy Clerk, were unconstitutional.
The court emphatically stated that Governor Fubara lacked statutory rights to interfere with the operations of the Rivers State House of Assembly. It issued an injunction, restraining the governor from impeding the Assembly’s operations under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Furthermore, the court barred Governor Fubara from demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly complex and ordered the release of all funds allocated to the Assembly.
The suit, named several defendants, including the National Assembly, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, and others. The court also issued an injunction against entertaining any request from Governor Fubara to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State Assembly.
