Former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has praised the Supreme Court’s decision to prohibit the allocation of funds to the Rivers State Government until the State House of Assembly is properly formed.
Speaking about the decision on Friday, Wike said it upheld the supremacy of the law and put an end to what he called “impunity” in the state.
“It is happiness for Rivers people. It is happiness for Nigerians that, yes, this impunity must stop. Enough is enough. We can’t continue with this,” Wike said.
The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation must withdraw financial support for Rivers State.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, chaired by Justice Emmanuel Agim, also confirmed the Martins Amaewhule-led assembly as the genuine legislative of the state.
The ruling overturned a Court of Appeal decision that had previously overturned a Federal High Court decision on the subject.
The ruling follows an earlier decision by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who, on October 24, 2024, ordered the CBN to halt future payments to the state government. The judge also ordered banks, including Zenith Bank and Access Bank, to suspend transactions involving the state accounts.
Justice Abdulmalik concluded that Governor Siminalayi Fubara breached the Constitution by proposing the 2024 budget to only four of the 31 members of the House of Assembly.
The Supreme Court reinforced its stance, declaring the act illegal and void.
“The Rivers State allocation fund is to be withheld until the unconstitutional actions are rectified,” the court ruled.
Justice Agim compared Fubara’s actions to “bigamy,” condemning his decision to demolish the Assembly complex, which was intended to prevent the 27 defected lawmakers from sitting.
In response, Wike emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions.
“We are not prisoners of war. We are not conquered people. We must challenge anything we know that is illegal, and we will not allow it,” Wike stated.
He also criticized Fubara’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of breaking court rulings and constitutional rules.
“You took an oath to abide by the Constitution, but you came out to say the court’s judgment is corrupt. Thank God, today, the Supreme Court has said it all—go back and obey the law,” he said.
He also criticized Fubara’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of breaking court rulings and constitutional rules.
“Government cannot function without one of its three arms. The governor’s illegal actions cannot be justified,” Justice Agim ruled.
The court reinstated the illegally removed Rivers Assembly Clerk and Deputy Clerk, as well as other legislative staff.
Justice Agim criticized the governor for using his constitutional immunity under Section 308 to justify his actions, stating, “This is an act of indiscipline born out of executive power. This is a joke taken too far.”
The Supreme Court imposed a ₦5 million fine against Fubara and reaffirmed the 27 lawmakers.
“We must commend the judiciary for being bold and firm in saying no to impunity,” he added.
