Supreme Court stops FAAC allocation to Rivers, Eze says ruling a declaration of war on Rivers

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further disbursing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government until an Appropriation law is made by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly constituted. But Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has alleged that the Supreme Court judgment on reinstating the 27 defected lawmakers as valid members of the state House of Assembly was a clear declaration of war on the state. Eze described the ruling on Rivers crisis as not only  a Black Friday in the country’s nascent democracy, but “declaration of war against Rivers State and death of Judiciary in Nigeria”. He however commended and congratulated Governor Siminalyi Fubara for being a man by surviving the onslaught of antidemocratic forces in Nigeria all these while
He said the Supreme Court ruling that the Martins Amaewhule led State House of Assembly should resume sitting after all the facts of them decamping to APC with the dire consequences of taken such a step, was rather unfortunate.  “For the Supreme Court to ignore these facts and support the illegality of asking Amaewhule to continue sitting is not only unfortunate, wicked, evil, sad, undemocratic and declaration of war against the people of Rivers State and democracy in Nigeria, but most unfortunate. “Nigerians should not think that this sad stand against Rivers State is against Gov Sim Fubara but against our democracy. So, Nigerians should arise and defend our democracy”.
Eze argued that for the Supreme Court to order the CBN to stop forthwith the release of funds due to the State by the FG simply exposes that this are all plots not only to serve the thinking of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike but ensure that the State that lays the Golden egg for the development and emancipation of Nigeria, is out of existence  According to him, “the next few days will be very interesting to see how these plots aimed at removing the Governor will play out. “No matter whatever maybe the outcome, Sim Fubara has fought a good fight by exposing how one man wants to stiffle the development of the State and Pocket the common patrimony of the State into his pocket”, he said.
However, Justice Emmanuel Agim delivered the lead judgement on Friday, resolving the political crisis in the state in respect of the state funds and its legislative process. Federal High Court in Abuja had 2024 issued an order barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further disbursing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government. The verdict extended to the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), as well as Zenith Bank and Access Bank, where the state holds accounts Allocation Case.  It will be recalled that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s receipt and use of monthly allocations since January 2024 constitute a violation of the constitution that cannot be permitted to continue.
The judge described Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers House of Assembly as a direct affront to constitutional requirements. She further stated that the governor’s implementation of the budget reflects a gross breach of the 1999 Constitution, which he is bound to uphold. Justice Abdulmalik consequently ordered the CBN, AGF, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank to block any further access by Fubara to funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and the Federation Account. Following her verdict, parties appealed up to the Apex Court.