The police, yesterday, fired teargas and gunshots to disperse workers of Ikwere Local Council Area who allegedly arrived to resume work. The Guardian gathered that police officers with over 11 Hilux vans arrived at the council secretariat on a tip-off that workers, including women, men and youths were at the complex to resume work, firing teargas on the workers, shooting sporadically, a situation which forced the people to scamper for safety. 
 
Some of the workers were said to have sustained threatening injuries, while some ran into the bushes.But the police claimed that those dispersed by officers were mobs who forced their way into the council complex. 

Recall that Ikwere Local Council is among the three councils that were burnt and attacked on October 7, 2024, during the local council post-election violence.Consequently, the state government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the arson and killings in the councils.

MEANWHILE, 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 Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, was applauded during yesterday’s Assembly’s 65th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session. Major Jack, the House leader, 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 came on the heels of a protracted dispute between the Rivers State Government and the Assembly. The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, 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The appellate court ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal was unmeritorious, as he had withdrawn all processes filed against the suit.
Commenting on the judgement, the Speaker, Amaewhule said: “Since July 1, 2024, Governor Fubara has been spending money 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.