Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing financial allocations to the Rivers State Government until a lawful appropriation act is passed by a validly constituted House of Assembly.
This decision was made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in a judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
The court deemed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a four-member Assembly, which was not properly constituted, as unlawful.
Justice Abdulmalik held that Fubara’s actions violated the 1999 Constitution.
As a result, the CBN, Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank are prohibited from allowing Fubara to access funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
This ruling aims to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements for budget passage.
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