The Supreme Court in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Key Ruling Details:
The five-member panel, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the case after Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), withdrew the appeal.
The governor was ordered to pay N2m in costs to the Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
The withdrawal was based on a notice filed on February 6, stating that the appeal had been overtaken by events.
Background of the Dispute
The crisis began when Fubara presented the 2024 Rivers State budget to only four out of 31 Assembly members.
The Court of Appeal (October 2024) ruled this action unconstitutional, citing Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires at least one-third of members for a quorum.
The Federal High Court also ruled against Fubara, affirming that the budget presentation before a four-member Assembly led by Edison Ehie was illegitimate.
Fubara had argued that Amaewhule’s faction lost legitimacy after defecting from the PDP to the APC, but the courts ruled he failed to prove their defection.
Supreme Court Decision
The 17 respondents, including the National Assembly and Rivers Assembly, did not oppose the withdrawal.
Senior lawyers J.B. Daudu (SAN) and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) requested the appeal to be dismissed rather than struck out and sought a N2m cost award.
The Supreme Court granted their request, officially dismissing the appeal and awarding N2m in favor of the 1st to 12th respondents.
With this ruling, Fubara’s legal challenge against the Assembly’s leadership comes to an end.