Supreme Court Reinstates 27 Rivers Lawmakers, Orders Halt on State Funds

The 27 lawmakers from Rivers State reinstated by the Supreme Court on Friday erupted in jubilation, celebrating their victory with singing and dancing at the court premises in Abuja.

The lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and led by Martin Amaewhule, had been at the center of a political crisis in the state following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their seats were previously declared vacant, and a factional leadership under Edison Oko-Jumbo had emerged.

Delivering its ruling, the Supreme Court, in a judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, declared that the 27 lawmakers must immediately resume their legislative duties.

The five-member panel, led by Justice Musa Uwani Aba-Aji, condemned the decision of Governor Sim Fubara to continue governance with only four out of the 32 House members, calling it an “aberration.”

Furthermore, the apex court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to halt financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.

The court ruled that the suspension would remain in place until Governor Fubara ceases all “illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional activities.”

The ruling also stipulated that funds would only be released to the state government when a lawful Appropriation Law is enacted under the leadership of Amaewhule as Speaker.

This judgment marks a significant turn in the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Fubara, further intensifying the political landscape in Rivers State.