In a groundbreaking ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing financial allocations to the Rivers State Government. This decision comes in response to a suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding over the case, emphasized that the appropriation act for 2024 must be passed by a properly constituted House of Assembly before any funds can be disbursed. The court’s decision effectively puts a halt to all financial activities of the state government until the legislative requirements are met.
This ruling follows previous judgments by the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court which recognized Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The courts had also nullified the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led faction of the Assembly and signed into law by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.