Court Blocks CBN’s Monthly Allocations to Rivers State Over 2024 Budget Irregularities

In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a halt to monthly allocations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Rivers State Government.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the ruling, citing irregularities in the budget approval process by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The court’s decision follows Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member assembly—a move Justice Abdulmalik ruled as unconstitutional.

She criticized the process, stating that such actions undermine constitutional standards for budget approval.

The ruling now freezes further disbursements to Rivers State until the government complies with established legislative procedures.

This decision marks a critical pause in the state’s funding, potentially affecting its financial operations and sparking a political standoff over adherence to legal norms in state governance.