By Peregba Jerry
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, voided and set aside the presentation and passage of Rivers State 2024 budget by a faction of four-member legislators in the State.
In December, the governor, Siminalaye Fubara had presented an N800bn 2024 Appropriation Bill to a faction of the state House of Assembly, comprising four lawmakers.
Following the passage of the budget by the lawmakers, Fubara subsequently signed the budget into law.
The Rivers Assembly became factionalised following a move by 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike to impeach Fubara.
The court in a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso ordered the governor of the State, Siminalaye Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
James Omotoso quashed the withholding of the House of Assembly fund on the ground, declaring that he has no constitutional power to do so.
The court restrained Governor Fubara from frustrating the House of Assembly under Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.
The redeployment of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk done by the Governor was declared null and void and was set aside.
The Inspector General of Police was ordered to immediately give adequate security to the Speaker and legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Justice Omotoso ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.
The National Assembly was also barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting or treating any request from Governor Fubara.
Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule.
It was gathered that all the issues in dispute were resolved in favour of Wike’s loyalists.
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