Politics

Appeal Court Rejects Governor Fubara’s Appeal, Upholds Ruling Voiding Rivers State’s 2024 Budget Passage

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a previous ruling by the Federal High Court that invalidated the presentation and passage of the 2024 budget for Rivers State.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, stating that it lacked merit.

Earlier in January 2024, Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled that the presentation and approval of Rivers State’s budget were illegal. The judge ordered Governor Fubara to re-present the N800 billion budget, titled the “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity,” to a legally constituted House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, the factional speaker.

At the time, Fubara had presented the budget to five lawmakers from the Edison Ehie-led faction, out of over 30 assembly members. This presentation came after 27 legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to their seats being declared vacant.

The Federal High Court’s ruling also barred Governor Fubara from interfering in the activities of the legislative arm of the state and nullified the redeployment of the clerk and deputy clerk of the Rivers State Assembly.

The governor was further directed to release all funds owed to the assembly to ensure its smooth operation.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

13 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

18 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

21 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

21 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

21 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

22 hours ago