Appeal Court Clears Rivers State Fund Release Blockade

By Don Tejiri On Dec 13, 2024

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The Appeal Court in Abuja has nullified all orders that prevented the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamman Barka, determined that the issue of state revenue was beyond the court’s jurisdiction. The appellate court sided with the Rivers State government, overturning all previous orders made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The court deemed it unconstitutional for her to restrict Rivers State from accessing funds from its consolidated revenue fund.

The appellate court asserted that the lower court had exceeded its authority and lacked the jurisdiction to rule on the matter.

In October, Justice Abdulmalik of the Abuja Federal High Court had ruled that the receipt and distribution of monthly allocations by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara since January constituted a constitutional breach that could not continue. She also found that Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers House of Assembly violated constitutional provisions, labeling it a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Abdulmalik had subsequently ordered the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank to prevent Fubara from accessing the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

TJ News recalls that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been at loggerheads with the FCT Minister, who is the former governor of the state.

The crisis stems from a battle over control of state resources. Fubara has been critical of projects initiated by Wike, which has led to public disagreements.

The conflict has affected the legislative process, with 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).