Gov. Siminalayi Fubara
Court warns Gov Fubara against overreaching his powers
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to abide by the dictates of the law regarding his authority and refrained from exceeding his authority.
The judge said neither the governor nor members of the Rivers State Public Service are authorised to interfere with the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
The judge said the governor will be going beyond his powers if he withholds funds due to the lawmakers in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Consequently, the judge restrained the National Assembly from entertaining any requests from the governor.
He said given that the governor’s legal team withdrew all processes in the matter, this amounted to an admission of all facts stated by the plaintiffs.
Justice Omotosho affirmed Martins Amaewhule as the valid Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly.
He declared the actions of Edison Ehie and four other lawmakers, who passed the state’s budget, as null and void, nullifying the N800 billion budget signed into law by Governor Fubara.
He highlighted a concern over the destruction of the Rivers State Assembly building, questioning the presentation of an appropriation bill to only five lawmakers.
Justice Omotosho granted an order setting aside the purported Appropriation Bill signed by the governor despite the court’s interim restraining order.
Also, the judge restrained the governor from continuing the demolition or construction of the Rivers Assembly building.
The judge directed the governor to work through the lawmakers presided over by Speaker Amaewhule.
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