The Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the N800 billion 2024 budget signed into law by Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara.
The governor had presented the budget to a faction of the state House of Assembly consisting of four lawmakers in December. Subsequently, the lawmakers passed the budget, which Governor Fubara then signed into law.
The Rivers State Assembly had become divided following attempts by 27 lawmakers aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike to impeach Fubara. In response to the factionalized nature of the assembly, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, declared all actions taken by the four lawmakers as null and void.
Additionally, the court recognized Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate speaker of the Rivers State Assembly. The ruling has significant implications for the state’s governance and budgetary processes.
