Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized a court ruling that halts financial allocations to Rivers State, stating that the judiciary’s involvement could lead to instability in the region.
On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, issued an order preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing funds to the Rivers State government.
The ruling stipulates that the funds should remain withheld until the passage of an appropriation act by a “validly constituted” Rivers State House of Assembly.
The legal action was initiated by the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, which argued that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a “not properly constituted” five-member assembly was unlawful.
Atiku, responding through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, expressed dismay over the ruling, suggesting that forces within the federal government were involved.
He questioned the timing and intent behind Justice Abdulmalik’s decision to issue an injunction while Rivers State’s appeal was still pending in the Court of Appeal.
“It is concerning that certain interests aligned with the federal government appear to be influencing the judiciary,” Atiku remarked.
“The Court of Appeal recently labeled the Rivers State budget as unlawful and ordered Governor Fubara to resubmit it to a properly constituted assembly. Despite the ongoing appeal, this new judgment seems designed to preempt the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Atiku also referenced earlier comments by senior lawyer Femi Falana, who warned of potential judicial bias in the matter.
Falana had previously alerted the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, about alleged attempts to sway the judiciary, including house gifts reportedly given to judges in Abuja.
