Court Blocks Central Bank of Nigeria from Releasing Monthly Allocations to Rivers State Government
In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government. The decision was made on Wednesday, amidst concerns over the receipts and disbursements of monthly allocations by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the governor’s actions since January 2024 have been deemed a “constitutional somersault and aberration” that must not be allowed to continue. The presentation of the 2024 budget before the four members of the Rivers House of Assembly was also declared an affront to the constitutional provision.
The PDP Youth Frontiers, a group within the Peoples Democratic Party, has expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it revives hope in the judiciary as a guardian of Nigeria’s democracy. At a press conference, Henry Owolabi, the national coordinator of the group, emphasized the need for immediate action to rectify the situation.
“The governor’s error must not be allowed to cause suffering for the people of the state,” Owolabi said. “We call on our great party, the PDP, to provide the necessary political guidance to the Rivers State House of Assembly to properly resume its functions and pass a legitimate 2024 budget for the state.”
Owolabi also demanded that the party take steps to reverse all previous decisions made by the four-member assembly, as well as ensure that its members in the state house of assembly work to trace all illegally spent funds and seek a refund from Governor Fubara.
The ruling has sparked a renewed focus on the importance of upholding constitutional provisions and ensuring that those in power are held accountable for their actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Rivers State Government will respond to the court’s decision and what measures will be taken to rectify the current situation.
In any case, one thing is clear: the Federal High Court’s ruling has provided a glimmer of hope for the people of Rivers State, and it is now up to the government and the judiciary to work together to restore order and ensure that the state’s democracy is protected.