Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing further monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
In her ruling on Wednesday, Justice Abdulmalik criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers State House of Assembly, calling it a violation of constitutional provisions. She described both the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations by the Fubara administration since January as a “constitutional somersault” and an “aberration” that must be addressed.
Justice Abdulmalik further stated that Fubara’s actions in implementing an “unlawful budget” constitute severe violations of the 1999 Constitution, which he pledged to uphold. As a result, the court has issued an injunction restraining the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, as well as Zenith Bank and Access Bank, from allowing Fubara access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
More details to follow…
