Court bars CBN, AGF, others from releasing allocation to Rivers govt

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.

The order also affected the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Zenith Bank, and Access Bank where the state government also do financial transactions.

The presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgement on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January 2024 by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

Appeal Court nullifies Rivers budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers

Justice Abdulmalik held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a five-member Rivers State House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

The judge said Fubara’s action in implementing unlawful budget had smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

She, consequently, ordered CBN, AGF, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank to stop Fubara from further allowing him to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

The Star