Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has cautioned Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to refrain from exceeding his authority.
According to the judge, neither the governor nor members of the Rivers State Public Service are authorised to interfere with the affairs of the River State House of Assembly and its Speaker.
The judge added that the governor cannot withhold funds due to the lawmakers in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund and subsequently restrained the National Assembly from entertaining any requests from the governor.
He said that given that the governor’s legal team withdrew all processes in the matter, this amounted to an admission of all facts stated by the plaintiffs.
Based on the presented facts, Justice Omotosho affirmed Martins Amaewhule as the valid Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly. He declared the actions of Edison Ehie and four other lawmakers, who passed the state’s budget, as null and void.
The judge nullified the N800 billion budget signed into law by Governor Fubara and expressed concern over the destruction of the Rivers State Assembly building, questioning the presentation of an appropriation bill to only five lawmakers.
Justice Omotosho granted an order setting aside the purported Appropriation Bill signed by the governor despite the court’s interim restraining order. Additionally, the judge restrained the governor from continuing the demolition or construction of the Rivers Assembly building.
Concluding that all actions involving the governor and the four lawmakers are null and void, the judge directed the governor to work through the lawmakers presided over by Speaker Amaewhule.
IT IS NOT ADVISEABLE TO BE AT LOGGER HEADS WITH THE GODFATHER.
The message is loud and clear.
IF YOU WERE NEITHER GOING TO NOR DISPOSED TO TAKING DIRECTIVES FOM THE GODFATHER, NEVER TAKE THE OFFER.
It is that simple, never complicated.
Governor Fubara would be wise enough to not take instructions or heed the advice of foes like friends who would rather have him fail and pretending to love the state more than he does.