Following the refusal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to represent the 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop the monthly financial allocation to the state government.
The court ruled that funds should not be disbursed until a legitimate Appropriation Act is passed by a properly constituted House of Assembly.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Wednesday.
The court found that the way Governor Siminalayi Fubara is handling the state’s finances since January is against the constitution.
The judge noted that Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was not in line with constitutional rules.
According to Justice Abdulmalik, implementing this budget was a “gross violation” of the 1999 Constitution, which the governor had pledged to uphold.
As a result, the court has restricted the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from allowing Governor Fubara to withdraw funds from the state’s revenue sources.
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