The Federal High Court in Abuja has just made a significant ruling, restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing financial allocations to the Rivers State Government until a lawful appropriation act is passed by a validly constituted House of Assembly.
This decision was made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in response to a suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the decision by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the Rivers State’s 2024 Appropriation Bill to a four-member Assembly, that was not properly constituted, should not be allowed to stand.
The court order essentially puts a hold on any further funding to the Rivers State Government until the necessary legislative steps are taken.
This means that the state’s financial activities will be on hold until the House of Assembly passes a lawful appropriation act.
