Appeal Court Sets Aside Rivers 2024 Budget
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Federal High Court’s decision to set aside the N800 billion budget enacted by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie.
The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the appellate court on Thursday due to a lack of merit.
The court ruled that Governor Fubara withdrew his counter-affidavit before the lower court and thus cannot file an appeal in a case he did not dispute during the trial stage.
The court unanimously determined that Governor Fubara should uphold the rule of law over the rule of might.
The court goes on to argue that the scenario in the Rivers State House of Assembly is an executive dictatorship by the governor, as well as an overblown farce.
Justice Omotosho overruled the pro-Fubara MPs’ 2024 Rivers budget and postponed the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.
In the handed ruling, Omotoso ordered Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers’ governor, to re-present the budget to the constitutionally constituted House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
In December 2023, Fubara presented a N800 billion budget titled ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity’ to five of the state house of assembly’s approximately 30 lawmakers.
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In the decision, Justice Omotoso ordered Fubara to release all cash owed to the Rivers House of Assembly and prohibited the governor from interfering with the assembly’s functions.
The court also overturned the state assembly’s head of civil service’s decision to redeploy the clerk and deputy clerk.
The judge ruled that the speaker is responsible for appointing a clerk and deputy clerk, according to the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission law.
The court also found that the inspector-general of police and the Nigeria Police Force were obligated to continue providing security for all Rivers residents, including members of the state parliament.
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The court also ordered a halt to the planned destruction and renovation of the Rivers State Assembly Complex.
Justice Omotosho overruled the pro-Fubara MPs’ 2024 Rivers budget and postponed the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.
In the handed ruling, Omotoso ordered Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers’ governor, to re-present the budget to the constitutionally constituted House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
In December 2023, Fubara presented a N800 billion budget titled ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity’ to five of the state house of assembly’s approximately 30 lawmakers.
In the decision, Justice Omotoso ordered Fubara to release all cash owed to the Rivers House of Assembly and prohibited the governor from interfering with the assembly’s functions.
The court also overturned the state assembly’s head of civil service’s decision to redeploy the clerk and deputy clerk.
The judge ruled that the speaker is responsible for appointing a clerk and deputy clerk, according to the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission law.
The court also found that the inspector-general of police and the Nigeria Police Force were obligated to continue providing security for all Rivers residents, including members of the state parliament.
The court also ordered a halt to the planned destruction and renovation of the Rivers State Assembly Complex.