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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Supreme Court has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted House of Assembly, with Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court also ordered that Martins Amaewhule and other 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are alleged to have defected, should be allowed to resume legislative duties unhindered.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment of the apex court, also ordered that all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance.
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The court condemned the conduct of Governor Simi Fubara, who he noted chose to destroy the government of Rivers State and resorted to acting unlawfully by pulling down the House of Assembly owing to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.
The court equally set aside an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the apex court has awarded a cost of N50 million against Fubara and the Government of Rivers State, to be paid to the Rivers Assembly and Amaewhule.
