The court has ruled that Fubara can continue to spend Rivers state funds despite the crisis. Find out the details of the decision.
On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja denied a motion that sought to prevent Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, from accessing the consolidated revenue fund of the state.
Former governor Nyesom Wike’s faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly brought forward motion ex parte under mark FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24. Justice James Nwite instructed the plaintiffs to provide notice about the lawsuit towards defendants such as Fubara.
Fubara had been prevented from accessing funds from the state consolidated account by Martin Amaewhule’s pro-Wike camp due to his failure to present a fresh 2024 budget. Fubara insisted that the N800 billion budget had already received approval in January, as supported by the Assembly faction aligned with him.
In addition, he asserted that the lawmakers who were in favor of Wike had relinquished their legislative positions upon switching from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Fubara is allowed to utilize state funds as per Justice Nwite’s ruling. Those being sued comprise the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank PLC, the Accountant General of Federation, Fubara himself alongside Rivers State Accountant-General and Independent Electoral Commission; Chief Judge of Rivers State -Justice S.C. Amadi-, Chairperson of RSIEC- Adolphus Enebeli,-as well as Government officials in River States are defendants involved in this case.
The plaintiffs’ plea for substituted service of the court papers on the defendants was approved by the court. The specified mode of service is through publication in Nation newspapers. A Motion on Notice will be heard during an adjournment scheduled for August 7th.
The lawmakers in support of Wike have urged the detainment of managers selected by Fubara to oversee the 18 local government regions within their state. Their main argument is that appointing caretakers infringes upon a decision made by the Supreme Court, which maintained independent governance for local governments.
The legislators label the caregivers as frauds and unacknowledged entities, imploring law enforcement and additional security agencies to take action against them.
Amaewhule, the Speaker, stressed that withdrawing funds from local government by caretakers is illegal and urged prompt measures to forestall a collapse of law and order in Rivers State.
