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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the passage of Rivers State 2024 budget by a group of four lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a judgement delivered on Monday by Justice James Omotoso, the court ordered Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
The judge also described the withholding of the House of Assembly fund by the governor as illegal, saying he has no constitutional power to do so.
Justice Omotoso further restrained Fubara from interfering in the affairs of the House of Assembly under Amaewhule, and declared the redeployment of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk of the House by the governor as null and void.
The judge directed the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to resume at their offices immediately and unhindered.
The National Assembly was also barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accepting any request from Fubara.
The court subsequently directed the Inspector General of Police to immediately provide adequate security to the Speaker and lawmakers, who are loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
