Atiku slams court order stopping Rivers’ financial allocation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised a court order that prevents financial allocation to Rivers State .

The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not release funds to the Rivers State government until a lawful Appropriation Act is passed by a validly constituted House of Assembly .

Reacting to this judgement, Atiku, through its spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said on Wednesday that the judiciary’s actions could ‘destabilise’ Rivers State.

Atiku also questioned the judge’s decision to issue an injunction while the case is still being appealed in the Supreme Court.

Atiku, however, claimed that some elements in the Bola Tinubu administration have procured a judgement intended to undermine the Supreme Court.

His statement read, “Last week the Court of Appeal declared that the Rivers State budget was illegal because it was passed by an inchoate assembly.

“The court ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the budget afresh — the Rivers State Government has already filed a notice of appeal so that the Supreme Court can hear the matter.

“However, some elements in the Bola Tinubu administration have procured a judgement intended to undermine the Supreme Court.

“Even before the judgement was delivered, legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN) had alerted the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho of possible compromise after house gifts had been presented to judges in Abuja. Sadly, Falana’s warning was ignored.”