Abuja Federal High Court Rules on Rivers State Funds Case
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request to bar Governor Siminalayi Fubara from utilizing government funds pending the resolution of a suit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
In the ruling on the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, Justice Emeka Nwite denied the request to restrict the governor’s spending powers.
The judge set the next hearing date for the motion on notice for August 7.
However, he instructed the plaintiffs to formally notify the defendants of the ongoing case. Justice Nwite granted the plaintiffs permission to serve the 5th to 10th defendants by substituted means, specifically through publication in the Nation Newspapers.
The defendants in question include Governor Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers State, the Chairperson of RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice S.C. Amadi, and the Government of Rivers State.
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The plaintiffs, the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule, filed the suit through their counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN, against the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank PLC, and the Accountant General of the Federation, who are the 1st to 4th defendants.
This court ruling follows a statement made by Governor Fubara, in which he vowed to govern the state with integrity and not succumb to political pressures. “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I would not do that. I will stand to govern our dear State and stand continually on the side of right,” the governor asserted.
Governor Fubara expressed confidence that he would prevail in the ongoing political battle with the support of committed individuals. He made these remarks during a visit to the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, to offer condolences following the passing of Sir Omehia’s mother, Mrs. Ezinne Cecilia Omehia.
The governor condemned the negative impact of political bitterness on the state’s progress and urged all who claim to love Rivers State to avoid actions that could hinder its development. “Anybody who claims to love this State should not be a party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backward,” he urged.
During the visit, Fubara emphasized the importance of unity and determination among those who care for the state to safeguard its future. “And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on that side of truth,” he stated.
