The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has once again accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of disregarding court rulings and constitutional mandates, asserting a firm commitment to hold accountable any officials who assist in bypassing legal protocols.
In a statement released by Martin Wachukwu, Amaewhule’s Special Assistant on Media, the legislators expressed strong support for a recent Federal High Court judgment, which restricts the state government from drawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without a valid 2024 Appropriation Bill passed by a duly constituted Assembly.
During their 65th sitting on Monday, held at the legislative quarters along Aba Road, the lawmakers commended Justice J.O. Abdulmalik’s ruling, calling it a landmark decision that underscores the importance of constitutional democracy.
The Assembly leader, Major Jack, presented a copy of the court judgment to the House, which was subsequently adopted as an official document.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly had, since July 15, 2024, requested that Governor Fubara halt spending from the state’s revenue fund in the absence of an approved budget,” the statement said, highlighting the lawmakers’ previous warnings.
In response to Fubara’s refusal to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill, the House took legal action, filing a suit at the Federal High Court to question the governor’s authority to continue expenditures without legislative approval.
The Assembly sought the court’s intervention, calling for an order to halt fund disbursements from the state’s accounts, including through the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions until the governor complied with constitutional requirements.
The court’s decision was in favour of the Assembly, affirming the lawmakers’ stance and signalling that financial oversight remains a critical component of their role in upholding democratic governance in Rivers State.
Commenting on the judgement, l Amaewhule said: “Since 1st of July, 2024, Governor Fubara has been spending moneys of the State without approval hence the declaration of the shutdown of expenditure.
“Yet, the Governor in his characteristic manner of disobeying judgements of Courts, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws has continued to circumvent the Law with the aid of Permanent Secretaries, and some individuals who parade themselves as Commissioners. They will certainly have a date with the Law.”
Amaewhule thanked members for their steadfastness and urged them to continue in their defence of democracy; adding that those, who trample ls on the country’s Constitution would be made to account for their malfeasance.
He referred to the decision of the Federal High Court as a landmark judgement, stressing that it was illegal, unlawful and a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for Fubara and his appointees to continue to spend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without a valid 2024 Appropriation Law.
