By Gabriella Ogbu
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has assured compliance with court directives concerning federal allocations to Rivers State, despite ongoing legal disputes over the state’s budget and legislative processes.
Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, confirmed on Friday that federal allocations to the state would continue.
“We will obey the court order. Since there is a notice of appeal, it takes precedence over the previous court judgment. Therefore, Rivers State will continue to receive its payments,” Mokwa stated.
This clarification follows an October 30, 2024, Federal High Court ruling instructing the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt monthly allocations to Rivers State.
The court found that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s submission of the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly was unconstitutional.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, delivering the ruling, described the budget process as a “constitutional aberration,” invalidating the actions of the four-member Assembly.
The judgment cited violations of Sections 91 and 96 of the 1999 Constitution, which require legislative approval from a fully constituted House of Assembly.
The legal battle originated from a case filed by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
The faction challenged the legitimacy of the four-member Assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, which had purportedly approved the state budget.
In July, the Amaewhule-led Assembly suspended all state spending until the governor submitted the budget to the legitimate legislative body.
Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the state government’s application to stay the ruling, calling it “frivolous and vexatious,” and warned that further bypassing legislative procedures would erode the rule of law.
The Rivers State Government has since filed a notice of appeal, with Governor Fubara expressing confidence in overturning the judgment.
The case has reignited political tensions in the state, with Governor Fubara accusing the Amaewhule faction, backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, of attempting to impeach him.
Rivers State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, has assured residents that the government is undeterred and confident in a favorable outcome at the appellate court.
Meanwhile, the OAGF’s confirmation ensures that Rivers State will continue to receive its federal allocation while the legal proceedings unfold.
