Fubara loses as court nullifies passage of Rivers 2024 budget
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, voided and set aside the presentation and passage of Rivers State 2024 budget by a group of four-member legislators in the State.
The court in a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso ordered the governor of the State, Siminalaye Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
In the judgment, which is in favour of a suit instituted against the National Assembly, Governor Siminalaye Fubara and others, Justice James Omotosho, held that Fubara acted like a tyrant in the ways and manners the House of Assembly was demolished and its funds from the Consolidated Account withheld.
Justice Omotoso ordered the Governor to present the budget again to the legally constituted House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The Judge held that the meeting of the four legislators where the budget was purportedly passed was a nullity and of no effect whatsoever.
Justice Omotosho said the presentation of the budget by the governor to the four lawmakers was contempt to his order issued against Fubara from taking any action on the House of Assembly because of the pendency of the suit.
The court also restrained Governor Fubara from frustrating the House of Assembly under Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.
The redeployment of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk done by the Governor was declared null and void and was set aside.
The Inspector General of Police was ordered to immediately give adequate security to the Speaker and legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Justice Omotoso ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.
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The National Assembly was also barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting or treating any request from Governor Fubara.
Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule.
