A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a motion by the Rivers State Government to halt ongoing proceedings in a high-stakes lawsuit that aims to suspend fund allocations to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State. The ruling marks a significant development in the escalating political crisis within the state, marked by fierce rivalries and factional splits within the state legislature.
The conflict pits Governor Siminalayi Fubara against a faction led by Martin Amaewhule, who reportedly has the backing of former Governor Nyesom Wike. Another faction, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, has aligned itself with Governor Fubara, creating a tense standoff that has deeply affected the state's legislative and political dynamics.
The case, with suit number CA/ABJ/CV/1197/2024, was filed by Amaewhule’s faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The plaintiffs are urging the Federal High Court to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold all financial allocations to LGAs within the state, a move that would impact essential governance and development functions in those areas.
The Rivers State Government, in response, had filed a stay of proceedings through its counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), arguing that they were in the process of challenging the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction on the matter at the Court of Appeal. They sought to delay the case proceedings pending the appeal's outcome. However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter on Friday, rejected the stay application, describing it as “frivolous, vexatious, unwarranted, and mischievous.”
The court’s decision has intensified the political standoff, as the request to stop financial allocations to LGAs in the state reflects deeper disputes over power, control, and resource allocation within Rivers State. If successful, the Amaewhule-led faction’s lawsuit could substantially restrict the funding of LGAs, affecting local governance and potentially creating a strain on public services in these areas.
The court's refusal to halt proceedings signals that the legal battle is likely to continue, as both sides seek to assert their influence and control over key aspects of governance in Rivers State. With the case ongoing, all eyes remain on the Federal High Court as it navigates the constitutional issues surrounding the management and allocation of state funds to local entities amidst a fractious political landscape.