The Supreme Court has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AG-F) from further releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted House of Assembly, with Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court also ordered that Amaewhule and other 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are alleged to have defected, should be allowed to resume legislative duties unhindered.
The Supreme Court also ordered that all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the lead judgment, condemned the conduct of Governor Simi Fubara, who he noted chose to destroy the government of Rivers State and resort acting unlawfully by pulling down the House of Assembly owing to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.
The apex court set aside and earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers State.
It awarded a cost of N50million against Fubara and the Government of Rivers State, to be paid to the Rivers Assembly and Amaewhule.
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