Rivers State High Court Rules Against Faction’s Bid to Force Governor Fubara to Present Budget

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to compel Governor Siminialayi Fubara to present the 2024 budget to the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of 26 lawmakers in the state.

The suit was filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Claimants of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, naming the Government of Rivers State, Governor Fubara, and the state’s Attorney-General as defendants.

Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice S. M. Aprioku described the case as “hasty and premature,” citing the affidavit evidence provided by the parties involved. Justice Aprioku noted that the issue of jurisdiction, particularly regarding the legitimacy of the 27 former lawmakers to enact laws, remains unresolved in several ongoing cases in various courts.

As a result, the judge ruled that the status quo should remain in place until these outstanding legal issues are settled.