THE Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the ruling of the Federal High Court, which nullified the N800 billion budget passed by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie.
The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that the appeal lacked merit.
It noted that Fubara had withdrawn his counter-affidavit in the lower court, making him ineligible to appeal a case he did not challenge during the trial.
In a unanimous decision, the court emphasized that Governor Fubara must adhere to the rule of law rather than use force.
It condemned the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly as an example of executive overreach, calling it “a joke taken too far.”
Initially, Justice Omotosho had annulled the 2024 Rivers State budget, which was passed by lawmakers loyal to Fubara, ruling that the process of presenting and approving the budget was invalid.
The judge ordered Fubara to resubmit the budget to the legitimately constituted House of Assembly, under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Fubara had initially presented the N800 billion “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity” to just five members of the more than 30-member state legislature in December 2023.
Justice Omotosho also directed Fubara to release all funds owed to the Rivers House of Assembly and barred him from interfering with its operations.
Additionally, the court invalidated the redeployment of the assembly’s clerk and deputy clerk, ruling that their appointments were the responsibility of the speaker, in accordance with the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission law.
The court further ruled that the inspector-general of police and the Nigeria Police Force must continue to provide security for all Rivers State citizens, including members of the assembly.
It also halted plans for the demolition and reconstruction of the Rivers State Assembly complex.
