by Ola Williams –
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must halt all monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government until a valid Appropriation law is enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
Delivering the lead judgment on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions violated the constitution, emphasizing that political conflicts must not override legal principles.
Judicial Rulings and Legislative Crisis
Earlier, the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja had barred the CBN, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), and Rivers State’s bankers—Zenith Bank and Access Bank—from releasing further funds to the state. The ruling came after Justice Joyce Abdulmalik found that Fubara’s unilateral receipt and use of allocations since January 2024, as well as his presentation of the state budget to a four-member House of Assembly, constituted a constitutional breach.
“The governor’s approach to budget presentation and implementation is a direct affront to constitutional requirements,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled, asserting that such violations must not be allowed to continue.
Following this, the case was escalated to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Verdict
Justice Agim, in a unanimous decision, upheld the FHC’s ruling and reinforced the need for legislative due process.
“What the governor has done is to destroy the principles of legislation and separation of powers over the fear of being impeached,” Agim stated.
The Supreme Court ordered the immediate cessation of Rivers State’s allocations until a proper Appropriation law is enacted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN and the Accountant-General of the Federation should forthwith stop paying to Rivers State any money belonging to Rivers until an Appropriation law is made by the Rivers State House of Assembly, duly constituted and prescribed,” Justice Agim declared.
Additionally, the court directed Right Honorable Martin Amaewhule and the 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume legislative duties without obstruction.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly should resume sitting with all elected members forthwith,” the ruling concluded.
The judgment marks a significant intervention in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, reaffirming the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional order.
