It is in order to release blocked allocation to Rivers Administrator – Fagbemi.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), believes the Federal Government will be acting properly if it distributes the blocked monthly allocation to the newly sworn-in Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd).
The justice minister, who spoke with State House media at the Villa on Wednesday, said an extraordinary scenario had evolved in the oil-rich state, and hence the first seizure of allotment may be overturned.
Fagbemi stated, “An extraordinary situation has arisen in Rivers State.” When the administrator arrives, he may request the release of these monies, which I feel is reasonable given the extraordinary circumstances that have disturbed the normal run of affairs.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a series of decisions prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the then-Siminalayi Fubara government until it purged itself of what the apex court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In a countrywide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly members for six months.
Tinubu based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that he cannot continue to watch the political situation in Rivers worsen without taking anything.
Many prominent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), have strongly opposed and condemned Fubara’s suspension.
However, pro-Nyesom Wike suspended MPs have hailed the emergency rule, accusing Fubara of violating the top court’s verdict on the state’s political situation.