Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday issued an order halting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing further monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
The judge ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was a direct violation of constitutional requirements.
She condemned Fubara’s receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January, labeling it as a “constitutional aberration” that could not be allowed to persist.
Justice Abdulmalik further stated that Fubara’s actions in executing an unlawful budget constituted serious violations of the 1999 Constitution, which he had sworn to uphold.
As part of the ruling, the judge restrained the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from permitting Fubara any access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
More details to follow.