The Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the N800 billion2024 budget that was approved by Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara.
According to The PUNCH, the budget was presented to a faction of the state House of Assembly, consisting of four lawmakers, in December.
Subsequently, after the lawmakers passed the budget, Fubara signed it into law.
The factionalization of the Rivers Assembly occurred when 27 lawmakers, who were loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, attempted to impeach Fubara.
This move led to a split within the assembly.
The court’s decision to nullify the budget raises questions about the legal and political implications for the state’s financial planning and governance.
It remains to be seen how this development will impact the state’s budgetary process and the ongoing political dynamics within the Rivers Assembly.
The presiding judge, James Omotosho, held that everything done by the four lawmakers was null and void.
The court also recognised Amaewhule as the speaker of the state assembly.
