Judge cautions Gov. Fubara: Don’t overreach your authority

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was cautioned today by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja not to “exceed his power” in that capacity.

According to Omotosho, the court opposes any attempt to undermine democracy. As a result, the governor, acting alone or through employees of the Rivers State Public Service, is not permitted to interfere with the Speaker’s or the River State House of Assembly’s business while they are carrying out their official duties.

According to Channels TV, the judge ruled that the governor could not deprive the legislators of their rightful money from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The judge then ordered the National Assembly to refrain from complying with the governor’s requests.

The judge also observed that the governor’s legal team had withdrawn all his processes in the matter, adding that it means that he admitted all the facts stated by the plaintiffs. The judge held that based on facts before his court, Martins Amaewhule remained the valid Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly.

The judge said the purported sitting of Edison Ehie and four other lawmakers who sat to pass the budget of the state is null and void. The judge nullified the N800 billion budget passed by the Ehie-led group of the Rivers Assembly and signed into law by Fubara.

Omotosho said the court found it strange that the governor would destroy the Rivers State Assembly building as well as present appropriation bill to five lawmakers.

He declared the presentation of the bill to the five lawmakers void. The judge granted the order setting aside the purported Appropriation Bill signed, despite the interim order of his court, restraining him.

The judge also granted the order restraining the governor from continuing the demolition or construction of the Rivers Assembly building. The court said all the acts of the governor with four lawmakers is a nullity and he should go through the lawmakers presided by Amaewhule.