Just in: Court Nullifies Passage of N800bln Rivers 2024 Budget

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday nullified the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led group of the Rivers State House of Assembly and signed into law by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The court also upheld the lawsuit that the Assembly and Speaker Martin Amaewhule filed against Governor Fubara, which sought, among other things, an order of injunction prohibiting the governor from undermining the Assembly while he served as speaker.

According to Persecondnews, on December 13, 2023, the Rivers governor gave five members of the State Assembly, including Edison Ehie, the Speaker of the House, the N800 billion budget proposal for 2024 in the midst of the ongoing political crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The presentation was done at the Government House in Port Harcourt, following the demolition of the Assembly Complex by the state government and after a court restrained Ehie’s contender, Martins Amaewhule, from using the Assembly Complex.

Ehie and the other pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, and the governor subsequently signed the bill into law, saying it is aimed at promoting economic development through inclusive growth and addressing socio-economic inequality in the state.

During the hearing on Monday, counsel for the plaintiffs, Ken Njemanze (SAN), accused the governor of interfering with the performance and functions of the state lawmakers, contrary to the doctrine of the separation of powers.

Justice James Omotosho, while ruling on the case, held that based on the facts before his court, Mr. Amaewhule remains the valid Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.

Justice Omotosho said: “This court finds it strange that the governor” would destroy the Rivers State Assembly building as well as present an appropriation bill to four lawmakers.

”The presentation of the bill to the four lawmakers as null and void.

”The judge also granted the order setting aside the purported appropriation bill signed, as well as the order restraining the governor from continuing the demolition or construction of the Rivers State building.”

He declared all acts of the governor with the four lawmakers a nullity and directed Fubara to go through the lawmakers presided over by Mr. Amaewhule.