The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing any further financial allocations to the Rivers State Government. This court decision will remain in effect until a legally valid appropriation act is enacted by a fully constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, responded to a suit filed by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The ruling stemmed from Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill to an Assembly where only four members were present— a quorum Justice Abdulmalik deemed insufficient for lawful appropriation procedures. The court found the actions of the governor and the four-member Assembly to be a violation of constitutional requirements.
This ruling carries significant implications for Rivers State, effectively freezing access to federal allocations until the state Assembly can convene with a valid quorum to pass the appropriation bill.
