The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday has nullified the presentation and passage of Rivers State 2024 Budget by a group of four member legislators in the State, which it tagged unlawful.
In a judgment delivered by the High Court judge, James Omotoso, the Court ordered the governor of the State, Siminalaye Fubara to re-present the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
In addition, the court ordered the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Speaker and other lawmakers in the Rivers State Assembly have proper security, and also prohibited governor Fubara from proceeding with the demolition of the Rivers State Assembly building.
On the redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the State Assembly done by the Governor, the Court declared it as null and void as only the Speaker, as enshrined in the State Assembly Service Commission, is empowered to appoint or redeploy.
The National Assembly was also barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting or treating any request from the Governor to do so.
Governor Fubara was also ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule, who the Court deems as the lawful Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.
Godfrey Eshiemoghie
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