Court Nullifies Passage of Rivers State 2024 Budget
Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, invalidated the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 Budget by four members of the State House of Assembly.
Having nullified and set aside the budget presentation, the court ordered Governor Siminalaye Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under the Speakership of Martin Amaewhule.
Justice Omotosho made the order in a suit by the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, against Governor Fubara and the National Assembly.
The Justice resolved all the issues in dispute in respect of control over the Rivers State House of Assembly in favour of former Governor Nyesom Wike’s loyalists.
Consequently, the court restrained Governor Fubara from frustrating the House of Assembly under Amaewhule, from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.
Justice Omotosho voided the witholding of the House of Assembly funds on the ground that he has no constitutional power to do so.
More so, the court set aside the redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk by the Governor, having declared the action null and void.
Justice Omotoso ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately without restrictions.
Furthermore, Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
In addition, the Judge ordered the Inspector General of Police to immediately provide adequate security to the Speaker and the House of Assembly Members loyal to Wike.
Similarly, Justice Omotosho barred the National Assembly from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accept or treat any request from Governor Fubara.
