A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to prevent 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.
In a ruling on the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to grant the prayers but ordered the plaintiffs to notify the defendants.
However, Justice Nwite granted the motion ex parte to serve the 5th to 10th defendants by substituted means, allowing the plaintiffs to serve their originating and any other processes by publishing them in the Nation Newspapers.
The judge further adjourned the matter to August 7th to hear the motion on notice.
ALSO READ: Shun protests, develop alternative policies, SDP’s Adebayo urges youths
The 5th to 10th defendants include Governor Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers State, the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Chief Judge of Rivers State Justice S.C. Amadi, RSIEC Chairperson Adolphus Enebeli, and the Government of Rivers State.
The suit was filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule, 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.
This court ruling follows Governor Fubara’s recent vow to govern the state without succumbing to political pressures. He stated, “I will not, I repeat, 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.”
Fubara, speaking at the home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, emphasized the need for unity and determination among true lovers of the state to safeguard its soul.
He criticized the politics of bitterness and urged everyone who claims to love Rivers State to avoid actions that could hinder its progress.
“Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards,” he said.