BREAKING; Court bars CBN, AGF, others from releasing allocation to Rivers State

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

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BREAKING; Court bars CBN, AGF, others from releasing allocation to Rivers State

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the order also affected the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Zenith Bank and Access Bank where the state government also banks.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment, held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January 2024 by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers is a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

Justice Abdulmalik held that the presentation of the 2024 Budget by Fubara before a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

The judge said that Fubara’s action in implementing unlawful budget had smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

She, consequently, ordered the CBN, AGF, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

NAN reports that a faction of the Rivers assembly and Mr Martin Amaewhule (the speaker), as the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs, had sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and nine others in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24.

The plaintiffs, through their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, filed the suit dated 14 July but filed on 15 July.

They listed the CBN, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) as the 1st to 4th defendants.

They also joined Gov. Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Chief Judge of Rivers, Justice S.C. Amadi; the Chairperson of the RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli, and the Government of Rivers State as the 5th to 10th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs had sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the CBN, the commercial banks, including the AGF from honouring any financial instruction issued by Mr Fubara regarding the state’s funds.

However, the faction of Rivers House of Assembly led by Oko Jumbo challenged the suit and filed a notice of change of counsel on 6 August

The Oko Jumbo-led assembly, loyal to Gov. Fubara, had told the court that Mr Amaewhule was not the lawful speaker of the assembly, since his seat had been declared vacant on 13 December 2023 following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress.

The faction of the assembly, therefore, told the court that Amaewhule was not authorised to file the instant suit, hence, it had decided to change its counsel.

Justice Abdulmalik, on Friday, dismissed the application for change of counsel after it was moved by Mr Sammie

Somiari, SAN, including other objections raised by the defendants.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Abdulmalik held that the CBN was under obligation to ensure that the right thing was done before money from Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account was released to the beneficiaries.

The judge said that the action of the 4-member House of Assembly being held on to by governor Fubara as yardstick to justify unlawful budget had since been nullified and set aside by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal both in Abuja.

She held that the judgment of Rivers High Court which gave power to the governor to implement the 2024 Budget had also been set aside by the Court of Appeal.

“Appropriation Bill for January to December 2024, being operated by the 5th defendant (Fubara), having not been charged by the lawful House of Assembly is illegal unlawful and subversion of the 1999 Constitution.

” It is mandatory to present the appropriation bills before the appropriate House of Assembly before legitimate disbursement and withdrawal can be made.

‘In the instant case, the 5th defendant (Fubara) has not presented any budgetary appropriation known to law to any legitimate House of Assembly.

“Sections 120 122 and 197 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have not been complied with.

“It is unwarranted assault to the Constitutional Order for anybody, including the 5th defendant to be allowed or permitted to continue to breach and violate Sections 91 and 96 of the Constitution to implement budget that was not approved by the legislative arm.

” Every individual must subject to the rule of law. Using illegally constituted House of Assembly to disburse public fund must not be allowed,” she declared.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently issued an order of injunction which restrained CBN, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and the AGF from permitting the withdrawal or use of the funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account and the Federation Account by Rivers Government until the budget of the state is passed by the appropriate house of assembly.

She also issued another order of injunction which restrained Fubara, Accountant General of the state and their agents from authorising the withdrawal of money from the Rivers bank accounts domiciled at Zenith Bank and Access Bank until the budget of the state is passed by the appropriate assembly.

The judge held that the house of assembly under Amaewhule remained the legitimate house of assembly in view of the Federal High Court judgment which nullified and set aside the house of assembly led by Oko Jumbo and was upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.(NAN)

News

Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Published

1 hour ago

January 15, 2026

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

News

Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.

During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.

However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.

No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.

News

Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle

Published

3 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle

Two suspected armed robbers were shot dead following a prolonged gun battle with police at Enugwu Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the clash occurred between security operatives and hoodlums believed to be armed robbers and cultists with links to a proscribed secessionist group. He said the exchange of gunfire lasted about two hours.

Ikenga disclosed on Thursday that three other suspects escaped during the operation, sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

He added that items recovered from the scene included one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, a red cult beret, and a black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

He said, “Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of 14th January 2026 recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.

“The Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid an ambush to a 5-man group of armed hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist group at Enugwu Agidi Junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Upon sighting the Operatives, the suspects engaged the Officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for two hours which resulted to fatal gun shot injuries on two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“The Operatives also recovered One (1) T.06 rifle, two (2) pump-action guns, Twenty-four (24) rounds of T.06 ammunition, Fifteen (15) live cartridges, Assorted criminal charms, One cult red beret and One black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

“Furthermore, while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed the gang members as being part of those who launched an unsuccessful but repelled attack by the Police Operatives on the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

“He also confessed being part of the striking squad of Vikings confraternity on a mission to retaliate the death of one of their members by another rival cult group.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu while commending the gallantry of the operatives charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.

“Meanwhile, hospital or related medical facilities are advised to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but must endeavor to report such to the nearest Police Station immediately.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.”