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JUST IN: Court Stops Further Federal Allocations to Rivers State

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant order restricting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing additional federal funds to the Rivers State Government. This freeze will remain effective until the Rivers State House of Assembly meets with a lawful quorum to pass an appropriation act for the 2024 fiscal year. This decision will place substantial financial pressure on the state, as federal allocations serve as a critical source of revenue for various governmental operations and development projects.

The ruling, handed down by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, followed a legal action initiated by several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. This suit challenged the legitimacy of a recent assembly session convened by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to introduce the 2024 Appropriation Bill. Only four members were present at this session, which Justice Abdulmalik determined was far below the constitutional quorum needed for passing appropriation bills. According to her ruling, a session with such limited attendance undermines the democratic process and violates the principles outlined in Nigeria’s constitution, which mandate sufficient legislative representation for budgetary approvals.

The court’s judgment emphasizes that any attempt to move forward with the state's budget without the required legislative quorum constitutes a breach of constitutional protocol. As a result, the decision effectively suspends access to Rivers State’s federal funding until the House of Assembly can convene a properly constituted session to lawfully pass the appropriation act. This freeze could delay crucial projects and impact essential public services, amplifying the pressure on the state government to resolve the quorum issue.

This ruling sends a strong message regarding the importance of constitutional adherence in government proceedings, particularly in budgetary matters. The legal precedent set by this case may influence other states to ensure compliance with legislative requirements, especially for actions involving public funds.

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