In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has directed Martin Amaewhule and other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume legislative duties immediately, declaring their suspension from sittings unconstitutional.
The apex court ruled that it was an aberration for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to have presented the 2024 appropriation bill before a four-man Assembly, effectively denying representation to 28 constituencies in clear violation of a court order.
The ruling mandates Fubara to re-present the budget before a legally recognized House led by Speaker Amaewhule.
Furthermore, the court strongly condemned the governor’s handling of the lawmakers’ defection crisis, labeling it an act of brigandage and dictatorship aimed at obstructing the House from carrying out its legitimate legislative functions.
The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by the Fubara-led government was also criticized, with the justices ruling that it constituted executive lawlessness designed to undermine the authority of the legislature.
This ruling reaffirms the independence of the legislature and sets the stage for a fresh political showdown in Rivers State as Amaewhule and his colleagues prepare to reconvene under the protection of the Supreme Court’s directive.
