A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a major ruling, stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government.
The court deemed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s receipt and disbursement of Rivers State monthly allocations since January a “constitutional somersault” that cannot continue.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made this order on Wednesday, citing Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly as unconstitutional.
According to the court, this action violates the 1999 Constitution, which Fubara swore to uphold.
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The judge specifically highlighted that implementing an unlawful budget in Rivers State by Fubara is a gross violation of the Constitution.
To address this, the court has restrained several entities, including: CBN, Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from allowing Rivers State government to access funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
