The court’s decision was based on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s unconstitutional presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly. This has raised questions about the legitimacy of the State House of Assembly’s composition and its authority to approve budgets.
According to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the judgment, the allocations received and spent by the state since January 2024 were based on an illegitimate budget, which she described as a “constitutional aberration.”
The Rivers State government has appealed the decision, prompting the federal government to insist that the allocation be paid until the end of the legal tussle. In an exclusive interview with TimesNow.com.ng, Afolabi said he was glad with the appeal and expressed optimism that the political manoeuvring would be stamped out of the judiciary.
He said:
TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the NJC has announced the suspension of Justice G. C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court.
In addition to being suspended for one year without pay, the duo was placed on a watch list for another two years.
The council also recommended compulsory retirement for judges in Imo and Yobe for falsification of their ages.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
