The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has commended the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which halted the state government’s withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund until the 2024 Appropriation Bill is presented before the Assembly.

The Federal High Court’s decision, delivered by Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, was applauded during the Assembly’s 65th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session on Monday.

The Leader of the House, Major Jack, presented the judgment under “Statement by the Leader,” which was warmly received and adopted as a working document by the House.

Members praised the judgment, describing it as a victory for constitutional democracy.

The development comes on the heels of a protracted dispute between the Rivers State Government and the Assembly. The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, nullifying the N800 billion budget passed by four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Edison Ehie.

The appellate court ruled that Governor Fubara’s appeal was unmeritorious, as he had withdrawn all processes filed against the suit.

The lawmakers clearified that on the 15th of July, 2024 they deliberated and resolved on the continuous refusal of Governor Fubara to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the House, leading to the decision of the House to write to the Governor to shutdown on expenditure pursuant to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution.

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Enabled by its resolution, they filed an action before the Federal High Court to determine the question: whether Governor Siminialayi Fubara can expend or continue to expend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without a valid 2024 Appropriation Law by the State House of Assembly; praying the court to invoke the consequences of such constitutional breach by ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant- General of the Federation, some Money Deposit Banks among other Defendants to stop the release of moneys or permit the withdrawal of Rivers State funds until Governor Fubara complies with the Constitution which he swore to uphold; and the court decided in favour of the House and the Speaker.

Commenting on the judgement, the Speaker, Amaewhule said “Since 1st of July, 2024, Governor Fubara has been spending moneys of the State without approval hence the declaration of the shutdown of expenditure.

“Yet, the Governor in his characteristic manner of disobeying judgements of Courts, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws has continued to circumvent the Law with the aid of Permanent Secretaries, and some individuals who parade themselves as Commissioners. They will certainly have a date with the Law,” he said.

The Speaker thanked Members for their steadfastness and urged them to continue in their defence of democracy.

Amaewhule, however, described the decision of the Federal High Court as a landmark judgement, stressing that it is illegal, unlawful, and a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Fubara and his appointees to continue to spend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without a valid 2024 Appropriation Law.