Fubara reacts as Federal High Court Bars CBN from Releasing Allocations to Rivers State Over Constitutional Breach

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt further disbursement of monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, cited constitutional violations allegedly committed by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in presenting the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly.

Justice Abdulmalik found that Governor Fubara's presentation of the state budget to an incomplete Assembly constituted a breach of “constitutional diplomacy” and represented a deviation from the required legislative process. The judge held that since the beginning of 2024, Rivers State has been receiving and utilizing federal allocations on what she described as an “illegitimate ground,” with funds released based on a constitutionally invalid process.

The ruling further restricts the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), and Rivers State’s accounts held with Zenith and Access Banks from releasing any funds to the state.
Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that decisions taken by the four-member Assembly in approving the budget were void, citing previous Federal High Court and Court of Appeal judgments that had nullified the legitimacy of the Assembly’s actions.

Governor Fubara, in response, downplayed the impact of the court's ruling, asserting that the stoppage of federal allocations is “the least of his concerns.” Speaking during a special thanksgiving service organised by the Rivers State government, Fubara assured attendees that contractors would still be paid, and workers’ salaries would continue to be disbursed on schedule.

The political tension between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike, appears to be intensifying, with observers closely monitoring the on-going crisis. More updates on the political situation in Rivers State will follow.