The Supreme Court on Friday upheld Mr. Martin Amaewhule’s leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly, declaring it the authentic and legally constituted lawmaking body in the state.
A five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, issued the ruling in a lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim.
In its decision, the apex court also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation to withhold further budgetary allocations to Rivers State until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted House of Assembly.
The court ruled unanimously that Amaewhule and the 26 other members of the Assembly, who were previously accused of defecting, should be allowed to resume their legislative duties without hindrance.
Further, the Supreme Court ordered that all members of the Rivers House of Assembly should be permitted to resume their normal legislative functions without interference. Justice Agim criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for what he described as unlawful actions aimed at undermining the government of Rivers, including dismantling the Assembly due to fears of an impeachment attempt.
The Supreme Court also overturned a previous judgment by the Court of Appeal, which had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over cases related to Rivers State funds. Additionally, the panel awarded a cost of N5 million against Governor Fubara and the Rivers State Government, to be paid to the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule.
