The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgement in a case filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from releasing monthly allocations to the state.
The initial ruling, delivered on October 30 by Justice Joyce AbdulMalik of the Federal High Court, faulted Governor Fubara for presenting the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice AbdulMalik ruled that this action violated constitutional provisions and deemed the disbursement of monthly allocations by Fubara since January a breach of the constitution.
The ruling also issued an injunction restraining the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from granting Rivers State access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts.
During Friday’s proceedings, a three-judge special panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, heard submissions from the parties involved.
Fubara’s appeal sought to overturn the lower court’s decision and lift the restriction on state allocations.
The panel also consolidated five related appeals stemming from the initial judgement.
Justice Barka announced that the judgement would be reserved and communicated to all parties at a later date.
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