Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized a court docket ruling that halts monetary allocations to Rivers State, stating that the judiciary’s involvement may result in instability within the area.
On Wednesday, a Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, issued an order stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing funds to the Rivers State authorities.
The ruling stipulates that the funds ought to stay withheld till the passage of an appropriation act by a “validly constituted” Rivers State Home of Meeting.
The authorized motion was initiated by the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State Home of Meeting, which argued that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Invoice to a “not correctly constituted” five-member meeting was illegal.
Atiku, responding via his media adviser, Paul Ibe, expressed dismay over the ruling, suggesting that forces inside the federal authorities have been concerned.
He questioned the timing and intent behind Justice Abdulmalik’s determination to concern an injunction whereas Rivers State’s enchantment was nonetheless pending within the Court docket of Appeal.
“It’s regarding that sure pursuits aligned with the federal authorities look like influencing the judiciary,” Atiku remarked.
“The Court docket of Appeal just lately labeled the Rivers State price range as illegal and ordered Governor Fubara to resubmit it to a correctly constituted meeting. Regardless of the continuing enchantment, this new judgment appears designed to preempt the Supreme Court docket’s determination.”
Atiku additionally referenced earlier feedback by senior lawyer Femi Falana, who warned of potential judicial bias within the matter.
Falana had beforehand alerted the Chief Decide of the Federal Excessive Court docket, Justice John Tsoho, about alleged makes an attempt to sway the judiciary, together with home items reportedly given to judges in Abuja.
