The Court of Appeal in Abuja reaffirmed Martin Amaewhule as the duly recognized Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday.
In a unanimous ruling, a three-member panel dismissed an appeal from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, deeming it without merit.
The appellate court upheld the January 22 judgment from the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which invalidated the 2024 Rivers State budget of N800 million titled “Budget of Renewed Hope.”
The court found that the budget had not been presented to the full Assembly, violating legal requirements, and admonished Governor Fubara for failing to respect the rule of law.
The court emphasized that Fubara’s action of presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill to only four out of the 31 Assembly members was a serious breach of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Furthermore, the court noted that Fubara’s withdrawal of a counter-affidavit initially filed to contest a suit brought by Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers seeking recognition as valid Assembly members implied his concession to the claims against him.
