The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the state 2025 Appropriation Bill as ordered by the Supreme Court.
The ultimatum was issued during a plenary session held in Port Harcourt on Monday.
ThisNigeria reports that the Apex Court, on Friday, ordered Governor Fubara to re-present the bill before the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.
The court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing budgetary allocations to the Rivers Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted house of assembly led by Amaewhule.
In a unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court held that the FHC court rightly held that Fubara violated the law. He said political disagreement cannot override the rule of law.
He said what the governor has done is to destroy the principles of legislation and separation of powers over “the fear of being impeached.”
“In the light of the foregoing, I hold that the cross appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.”
“For avoidance of doubt, the CBN and the Accountant General of the federation should forthwith stop paying to Rivers State any money belonging to Rivers until an Appropriation law is made by Rivers State House of Assembly constituted and prescribed.
“Right Honorable Martin Amaewhule and the other 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly should forthwith resume unhindered sitting as lawmakers.
“The Rivers State should resume sitting with all elected members forthwith,” the judge said.
