ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a significant ruling on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from disbursing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
The court’s decision also restricts the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), as well as Zenith Bank and Access Bank, where the state holds accounts.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the allocation and disbursement of funds to Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara since January 2024 constituted a “constitutional somersault and aberration” that must be halted.
Justice Abdulmalik’s decision comes in response to the Rivers Governor’s presentation and implementation of the 2024 budget before an incomplete legislative body — a four-member Rivers House of Assembly.
“The receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is an affront to the constitutional provision,” Justice Abdulmalik stated.
She described the actions as “gross violations of the 1999 Constitution” that Fubara had pledged to uphold.
The court’s decision blocks Rivers State from accessing funds in the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts, enforcing immediate compliance from the CBN, AGF, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank.
