The Supreme Court has reinstated Martin Amaewhule as the rightful Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, putting an end to the heated leadership dispute in the state legislature.
In a landmark ruling on Friday, a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji ruled that Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers—who were accused of defecting—remain legitimate members of the Assembly and must resume legislative duties without interference.
Furthermore, the court restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from disbursing any further allocations to Rivers State until the passage of a valid Appropriation Act by a properly constituted legislature.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim condemned Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions, accusing him of attempting to dismantle the government due to fears of impeachment. The apex court also overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had ruled the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over Rivers’ financial matters.
Additionally, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine on Fubara and the Rivers State Government, payable to the Rivers Assembly and Amaewhule.
