Supreme Court judgment on Rivers Funds, LGA administration: Rivers State Govt reacts

The administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reacted to the recent Supreme Court judgment restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federal from releasing funds to Rivers State.

In the same breathe the Supreme Court voided the Local Government elections that held last year, bringing into power 23 elected Council Chairmen.

Reacting to these issues, including the reinstatement of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a press release sighted by Africa Update disclosed that the State Government is carefully evaluating the situation and will “determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.”

The Press release reads:

SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT ON RIVERS STATE FUNDS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state.

At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.

Though we have not gotten the details of the judgment from our legal team, we enjoin Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding and go about our legitimate businesses as we seek clarity on the judgment.

We believe that the determination of the main issue of defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court as it is pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.

We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear State.

Signed

Warisenibo Joe Johnson
Hon. Commissioner for Information & Communications

February 28, 2025

The Supreme Court judgment

The Supreme Court has barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of rivers state until it purges itself of what the court describes as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

In a one hour, thirty-six-minute judgement delivered by justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.

In dismissing Governor Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the rivers state house of assembly.

The court held that it is an aberration for Governor Fubara to have purportedly presented an appropriation bill before a four-man House of Assembly thereby denying twenty-eight constituencies of effective representation in vagrant violation of a court order mandating him (Fubara) to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a validly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.

The apex court further held that the actions of Governor Fubara over the alleged defection of twenty-eight members of the Rivers Assembly is an act of brigandage and dictatorship aimed at preventing the House from performing its legitimate functions under the speakership of Amaewhule