By 9jaeye 
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has delivered a major blow to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State by upholding the nullification of the state’s N800 billion 2024 budget. This ruling, made on October 10, 2024, affirms the decision of the Federal High Court, which had earlier invalidated the budget passed by just four lawmakers loyal to Fubara during a political crisis in the state.
Key Court Rulings and Reasons
The N800 billion budget had been hastily passed in December 2023 by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie. This small group of lawmakers, allied with Governor Fubara, convened at the Government House in Port Harcourt to push through the budget after the demolition of the Assembly Complex and amid a protracted political conflict.
The action was met with significant resistance from a larger faction of the Assembly, which deemed the move unconstitutional and filed a suit challenging its legality.
In January 2024, the Federal High Court ruled against the budget, declaring that it was illegally passed by the minority faction. The court criticized Governor Fubara for undermining the legislative process and attempting to bypass the legitimate leadership of the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Appeal Court’s Verdict
Governor Fubara’s legal team attempted to appeal the decision, but the Court of Appeal struck down the appeal, reiterating that the actions of the four lawmakers were unconstitutional. The court emphasized that Fubara had earlier withdrawn his legal processes in the case, which effectively weakened his position in the appeal.
In its final judgment, the Appeal Court instructed Governor Fubara to re-present the budget to the legitimate Rivers Assembly for consideration. The court also imposed a financial penalty, ordering Fubara to pay ₦500,000 each to the 13 respondents involved in the case.
Conclusion
This ruling serves as a major precedent in enforcing constitutional procedures and legislative integrity in state governance. Governor Fubara now faces significant pressure to adhere to legal processes and work with the legitimate legislative body to ensure proper governance in the State.
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