The economy of Rivers State in South-South Nigeria is on the verge of strangulation with the living conditions of the people in dire straits as Nigeria’s Supreme Court has ordered the seizure of allocations accruing to it from the Federation Account.

The apex court issued this order on Friday, February 29, 2025 while delivering judgment in a suit between the State House of Assembly and the Governor in Abuja.

The court held that the State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule is validly constituted assembly, ordering the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to it.  

Curiously, it was unclear if the Supreme Court was aware that both the fiscal year and 2024 budget had become effete due to the effluxion of time.

The Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court describes as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

In the said judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the apex court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.

In dismissing Governor Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court held that it is an aberration for Governor Fubara to have purportedly presented an appropriation bill before a four-man House of Assembly thereby denying twenty-eight constituencies of effective representation in flagrant violation of a court order mandating him (Fubara) to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a validly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.

The apex court further held that the actions of Governor Fubara over the alleged defection of twenty-eight members of the Rivers Assembly is an act of brigandage and dictatorship aimed at preventing the House from performing its legitimate functions under the speakership of Amaewhule.

The court also held that the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara is an act of indiscipline bordering on the excessive use of executive might to frustrate the sitting of the Assembly led by Amaewhule.

This decision by the nation’s apex court has been described as a frontal attack on the economy of the State as seizure of the State’s funds is seen in many quarters as an attempt to ground the economy of the State.