Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order on Wednesday, restricting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing further monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly violated constitutional provisions.
She criticized the receipt and use of monthly allocations by Fubara since January as a serious breach of constitutional guidelines.
The judge further asserted that Fubara’s actions in implementing an “unlawful budget” amounted to a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, which he is sworn to uphold.
Consequently, she ordered the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank to stop granting the Rivers State Government access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts.
Further details to follow.