Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt further monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, follows a finding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly contravened constitutional requirements.
Justice Abdulmalik described Fubara’s actions since January, including the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations, as a violation of constitutional protocols. She labeled these actions as a “constitutional somersault and aberration” that should not be allowed to continue.
The judge further held that Fubara’s implementation of an unauthorized budget constituted a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution, which he had sworn to uphold. Consequently, she issued an order restraining the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from granting Fubara access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
