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Former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commended the Supreme Court for its judgment that barred the release of funds to the Rivers State Government until the State House of Assembly is properly constituted.
Speaking on the judgment on Friday, Wike stated that the judgment reaffirmed the supremacy of the law and marked an end to what he described as “impunity” in the state.
“It is happiness for Rivers people. It is happiness for Nigerians that, yes, this impunity must stop. Enough is enough. We can’t continue with this,” Wike said.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation must withhold financial allocations to Rivers State.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, also affirmed the Martins Amaewhule-led assembly as the legitimate legislature for the state.
The ruling overturned a Court of Appeal judgment that had earlier nullified a Federal High Court decision on the matter.
The ruling follows an earlier decision by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who, on October 24, 2024, ordered the CBN to stop further disbursements to the state government. The judge also directed banks, including Zenith Bank and Access Bank, to halt transactions involving the state’s accounts.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara violated the Constitution by presenting the 2024 budget before only four members of the 31-member House of Assembly.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed this stance, describing the act as unconstitutional and void.
“The Rivers State allocation fund is to be withheld until the unconstitutional actions are rectified,” the court ruled.
Justice Agim likened Fubara’s actions to “bigamy,” condemning his decision to demolish the Assembly complex, which, according to the court, was intended to prevent the 27 defected lawmakers from sitting.
Further reacting to the judgment, Wike insisted that Rivers State would not allow unconstitutional governance, adding that public officials must be held accountable for their actions.
“We are not prisoners of war. We are not conquered people. We must challenge anything we know that is illegal, and we will not allow it,” Wike stated.
He further criticised Fubara’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of disregarding court orders and violating constitutional provisions.
“You took an oath to abide by the Constitution, but you came out to say the court’s judgment is corrupt. Thank God, today, the Supreme Court has said it all—go back and follow the law,” he said.
The Supreme Court justices expressed concern over the rising trend of executive overreach, warning that undermining the legislature threatens democracy.
“Government cannot function without one of its three arms. The governor’s illegal actions cannot be justified,” Justice Agim ruled.
The court also ordered that the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers Assembly, who were unlawfully removed, be reinstated along with other legislative staff.
Justice Agim criticised the governor for using his constitutional immunity under Section 308 to justify his actions, stating, “This is an act of indiscipline born out of executive power. This is a joke taken too far.”
The Supreme Court imposed a ₦5 million fine against Fubara and reaffirmed the 27 lawmakers as the rightful members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wike, while praising the judiciary, commended his legal team for their efforts in securing the ruling.
“We must commend the judiciary for being bold and firm in saying no to impunity,” he added.
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