The 2024 Appropriation Bill of Rivers State has been invalidated by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho, in a Monday judgment, declared the budget invalid, citing improper presentation before the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Recognizing Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker, the court criticized Governor Fubara for unconstitutional interference in the legislative affairs of the state.
It held that the governor acted beyond his statutory rights by redeploying the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State Assembly.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that the conditions outlined in Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, for the National Assembly to assume control of Rivers State’s legislative affairs had not transpired.
Consequently, the court issued an injunction restraining Governor Fubara from obstructing the Assembly’s operations under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.