The Abuja Federal High Court has nullified the 2024 Appropriation Bill presented by Governor siminalayi Fugbara of Rivers State.
The nullification was done in a judgement that was delivered by Justice James Omotosho, on Monday.
The judge held that the budget was invalid as it was not properly presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly as it recognised Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, faulted Governor Fubara for meddling in the affairs of the state’s legislative organ.
According to the judge, It held that Governor Fubara acted unconstitutionally when he redeployed the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State Assembly.
He stressed that the governor lacked the statutory rights to interfere with the operations of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Besides, the court held that the conditions listed in Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which would allow the National Assembly to take over the legislative affairs of Rivers State, have not occurred.
It, therefore, issued an order of injunction, restraining Governor Fubara from impeding or frustrating the operations of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.
The court issued an order of injunction, restraining the defendants from entertaining any request from Governor Fubara to take over the performance of the functions of the Rivers State Assembly, including its role to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Rivers in respect of matters that are within its constitutional and legislative competence.
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