By Olawale Davis
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) have been directed by the Supreme Court to stop releasing funds to Rivers State until when a valid budget is passed by the state House of Assembly.
In its ruling, the Justice Emmanuel Agim-led five-member panel of the Supreme Court also ordered that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other members “illegally excluded” from functioning as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly resume immediately.
It says further that a four-member House represents 12.5% of the geographical entity, which is Rivers State. It therefore says that it doesn’t constitute the right number to conduct legislative business.
While stating that legislative business cannot be conducted in secret, the Justices added that there is now no government in Rivers State, due to the absence of a legislature.
This decision follows the position of the Court that the action of the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, throughout the political saga had been borne out of fear of impeachment.
It adds that there is no justification to attack the legislature or act in breach of the rule of law. It clearly faulted the action of the State governor, which included the demolition of the Assembly building.
