Rivers: Court Rejects Push To Bar Fubara From Spending Public Funds

Rivers: Court Rejects Push To Bar Fubara From Spending Public Funds

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to bar Governor Siminalayi Fubara from spending government funds pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.

Ruling on the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, Justice Emeka Nwite refused to grant the prayers but ordered the plaintiffs to put the defendants on notice. Justice Nwite did, however, grant the motion ex parte to serve the 5th to 10th defendants in the matter by substituted means, saying, “the leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with the plaintiffs/applicants’ originating, and any other process(es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit: by publishing same in the Nation Newspapers.”

The judge further adjourned the matter to August 7 to hear the motion on notice. The 5th to 10th defendants include Mr. Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers, the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Chief Judge of Rivers, Justice S.C. Amadi, the Chairperson of RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli, and the Government of Rivers State.

The 1st and 2nd plaintiffs, being the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule, had filed the suit through their counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN, against the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank PLC, and the Accountant General of the Federation as the 1st to 4th defendants.

The court ruling comes after Governor Fubara vowed last week to remain upright and not govern the state on bended knees despite mounting political pressure. “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees (bending). 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,” the governor emphasized.

He expressed optimism that he would win the battle to protect the state’s integrity with the support of well-meaning persons standing firmly with him. Governor Fubara made these remarks at the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State last Saturday, where he was to commiserate with Sir Omehia on the passing of his mother, Mrs. Ezinne Cecilia Omehia, who had just been laid to rest after 95 years.

Fubara urged all true lovers of the state to unite and be resolute in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State. He reiterated his commitment to stand on the side of truth, regardless of the number of people standing with him.

The governor decried the negative impact of politics of bitterness and urged those who claim to love Rivers State not to be part of any actions, directly or indirectly, that would hinder the state’s progress. “Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards,” he said.