The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Federal High Court\u2019s decision to nullify the N800 billion budget passed by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The court’s ruling further solidifies the political tussle within the state’s legislature.<\/p>\n
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In a unanimous decision on Thursday, a three-member panel of justices dismissed Governor Fubara\u2019s appeal, ruling that it lacked merit. The court also affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.<\/p>\n
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The dispute arose over the \u201cBudget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity,\u201d which was presented by Governor Fubara and passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers, led by Edison Ehie, in December 2023. However, a rival faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rejected the budget, calling it illegal.<\/p>\n
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In response, the pro-Wike group filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho ruled in their favor, declaring the budget invalid and ordering Governor Fubara to re-present it to the Assembly under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, whom the court recognized as the legitimate Speaker.<\/p>\n
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Governor Fubara’s appeal against the ruling was dismissed, with the court noting that his withdrawal of key legal filings at the lower court had left the case uncontested. The appellate court emphasized that Fubara could not attempt to challenge the decision through an appeal after effectively abandoning his defense at the earlier stage.<\/p>\n
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The ruling further deepens the political crisis within Rivers State, as the governor is now expected to re-engage with the Assembly led by Amaewhule for the presentation of a new budget.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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