Rivers State Governor Siminalaya Fubara has withdrawn his appeal against the Appeal Court ruling that declared the 2024 budget illegal.
The withdrawal of the suit was made by Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali. In addition to dismissing the appeal, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji of the Supreme Court ordered Fubara to pay a cost of two million naira to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule.
The development was also disclosed by Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday.
Recall that Governor Fubara had submitted the 2024 budget to the Edison Ehie-led House of Assembly in December 2023. However, the Appeal Court in Abuja delivered a ruling on October 10, 2024, upholding the Federal High Court’s January 22, 2024, judgment that nullified the passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.
The controversy surrounding the budget began when pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, took the state government to court for submitting the budget to the Ehie-led house, arguing that it was not properly passed.
Wike is currently at odds with his estranged political godson, Fubara, allegedly over the control of political structures in the state.
In a social media statement on Monday morning, Olayinka revealed that Governor Fubara has admitted to illegality by withdrawing his appeal.
He wrote, “Governor Fubara of Rivers State has withdrawn his appeal No. SC/CV/1071/2024 against the Appeal Court judgment declaring the 2024 Budget of the State illegal and ordering him to present the budget to the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
“The Appeal Court had upheld the judgment of Justice J. K. Omotosho in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/1613/2023 wherein the court ruled that Governor Fubara should re-present the 2024 budget to the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
“By this withdrawal, Gov. Fubara has accepted the lower and appellate courts judgments, declaring presentation of the Rivers State budget to three members of the State House of Assembly as illegal.”
The governor’s camp is yet to comment on the development.
