A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a request to prevent Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from using public funds while a legal case is ongoing. The suit was filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule.
Justice Emeka Nwite, ruling on the motion ex parte (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24), refused to grant the order to stop Governor Fubara from spending government money. However, he instructed that the defendants be notified about the suit. Justice Nwite also allowed the plaintiffs to serve the 5th to 10th defendants through newspaper publication.
The judge scheduled the next hearing for August 7th. The defendants include Governor Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers State, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Chief Judge of Rivers State Justice S.C. Amadi, RSIEC Chairperson Adolphus Enebeli, and the Government of Rivers State.
The plaintiffs, Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule, represented by their counsel Joseph Daudu SAN, filed the suit against the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank PLC, and the Accountant General of the Federation.
This court ruling follows Governor Fubara’s recent declaration to govern with integrity, despite political pressures. He emphasized his commitment to standing firm and not yielding to political pressure.
“I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I would not do that. I will stand to govern our dear State and stand continually on the side of right,” Governor Fubara stated.
He addressed the ongoing political struggle in Rivers State and expressed confidence in overcoming these challenges with support from well-meaning individuals. Governor Fubara made these remarks during a visit to Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, to offer condolences on the passing of Sir Omehia’s mother, Mrs. Ezinne Cecilia Omehia.
Governor Fubara urged all true lovers of the state to unite in safeguarding the soul of Rivers State and condemned the politics of bitterness, calling it harmful to the state’s progress. He stressed the importance of not participating in actions that would set the state back.
“Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards,” he said.
