Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a significant ruling on Wednesday, preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing monthly allocations from the Federation Account to the Rivers State government. This ruling follows concerns regarding the legality of the state’s financial management under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik stated that the receipt and distribution of monthly allocations by the Rivers State government since January 2024 constituted a constitutional violation that could not be permitted to continue. The court emphasized that Governor Fubara’s actions in this regard represented a serious breach of constitutional norms.
The judge specifically criticized the presentation of the 2024 budget by Governor Fubara to a four-member Rivers House of Assembly, deeming it an affront to the constitutional provisions governing state governance. She asserted that the governor’s implementation of an unlawful budget reflected gross violations of the 1999 Constitution, which he had pledged to uphold.
As part of the ruling, the court restrained several key financial institutions—including the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank—from allowing Governor Fubara access to funds from both the Consolidated Revenue Account and the Federation Accounts.
This decision could have significant implications for the financial operations of the Rivers State government, potentially affecting public services and ongoing projects funded by these allocations. The court’s ruling underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the management of state resources and adherence to constitutional guidelines.
Further details regarding the case and its implications are expected to emerge in the coming days.
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