The Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara has been defeated at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday.
The court in its ruling voided and set aside the presentation and passage of Rivers State 2024 budget by a group of four-member legislators in the State.
In a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso, the court ordered the governor to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
James Omotoso quashed the withholding of the House of Assembly fund on the ground, declaring that he has no constitutional power to do so.
The court restrained Governor Fubara from frustrating the House of Assembly under Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.
The redeployment of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk done by the Governor was declared null and void and was set aside.
The Inspector General of Police was ordered to immediately give adequate security to the Speaker and legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Justice Omotoso ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.
The National Assembly was also barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting or treating any request from Governor Fubara.
Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule.
It’s believed that the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike has been at loggerheads over the control of political structure in the state.
DAILY GIST reports that Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with some major stakeholders from Rivers State led by the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in a bid to resolve crisis rocking the state.
Part of the resolution is that the remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State Assembly and Staff must be reinstated immediately.
Also, all matters instituted by Governor Fubara and his team shall be withdrawn immediately and the governor shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the State Assembly.
Other resolutions of the meeting include that the remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated.
