Saturday, December 14, 2024 -The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned all orders barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government.
A three-member panel, presided over by Justice Hamman Barka, ruled that
the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, which concerned
state revenue.
The appellate court set aside the previous orders issued by Justice
Joyce Abdulmalik, deeming them unconstitutional. The court stated it was
improper for the lower court to restrict the Rivers State Government from
accessing funds due to it from the consolidated revenue fund. In delivering the
judgment, the appellate court noted that Justice Abdulmalik’s orders had
overreached the authority of the court.
The case arose in October when Justice Abdulmalik of the Federal High
Court in Abuja ruled that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations
by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara since January 2024 were
unconstitutional.
Justice Abdulmalik had described the presentation of the 2024 budget by
Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly as an affront to
constitutional provisions, calling it a "gross violation" of the 1999
Constitution.
The judge consequently restrained the CBN, the Accountant General, and
banks including Zenith Bank and Access Bank from granting Governor Fubara
access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
With the appellate court's decision, all such restrictions have been
lifted, clearing the way for the Rivers State Government to receive its
statutory allocations.
0 Comments