Breaking News: Federal High Court Rejects Rivers Government Bid to Halt LGA Fund Suit Amid Political Crisis

In a significant legal development, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the Rivers State Government’s bid to stop proceedings in a lawsuit seeking to withhold fund allocations to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. This case, which intensifies the political turmoil in Rivers State, has seen opposing factions within the state legislature align behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Martin Amaewhule, who is reportedly backed by former governor Nyesom Wike.

On Friday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled against the stay application submitted by Rivers State’s attorney, Gordy Uche (SAN), describing it as “frivolous, vexatious, unwarranted, and mischievous.” The lawsuit, case number CA/ABJ/CV/1197/2024, was initiated by the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule. The plaintiffs aim to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt financial allocations to the state’s LGAs.

The Rivers State Government sought a stay of proceedings on grounds of challenging the court’s jurisdiction in the Court of Appeal, but Friday’s ruling allows the case to proceed, adding another layer to the state’s ongoing power struggle.