The Supreme Court has ruled that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, is the legally recognized legislative body in the state.
A five-member panel, chaired by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, delivered the judgment on Friday, with Justice Emmanuel Agim reading the lead verdict.
The apex court also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to withhold Rivers State’s budgetary allocations until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted assembly.
Furthermore, the court ordered that Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers accused of defection be allowed to resume legislative functions without obstruction.
Justice Agim criticized Governor Sim Fubara’s actions, stating that his decision to dismantle the House of Assembly out of fear of impeachment was unlawful and detrimental to the state’s governance.
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