On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government.
The court stated that the receipt and disbursement of these funds by Governor Siminalayi Fubara since January constitute a “constitutional somersault and aberration” and must be stopped. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who issued the ruling, argued that Fubara’s recent actions, including presenting the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers House of Assembly, violate constitutional provisions.
According to Abdulmalik, Fubara’s decision to proceed with implementing an allegedly unlawful budget demonstrates a significant breach of the 1999 Constitution, which he had pledged to uphold.
As a result, the court issued a restraining order to prevent the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from granting Fubara further access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
