Rivers: Fubara asked to return funds spent without proper appropriation

The National Democratic and Change Coalition (NDCC) has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to refund funds allegedly spent without proper appropriation.

This follows a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restricts further fund disbursements to the Rivers State government due to alleged constitutional violations.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and certain state accounts from disbursing funds to Rivers State.

Reacting to the development, the NDCC, in a statement signed by its president, John Uloko, expressed satisfaction with the judgEment, describing it as a long-awaited vindication for the people of Rivers.

The NDCC described the Rivers Assembly’s actions as a “constitutional aberration” and praised the court’s decision as a defense of democracy.

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The statement commended Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s decision, which highlighted constitutional violations in Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member Rivers State House of Assembly, rather than the required 32-member assembly.

The Coalition called on Governor Fubara to reverse actions taken under the “illegitimate” budget and consider refunding state funds spent since January.

The statement read in part, “We, therefore, commend Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja for holding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

“This ruling is a victory for democracy and will teach rogue governors the bitter lesson that the Constitution of the Federal Republic must be respected and the sanctity of our democratic institutions upheld irrespective of their political desperation.

“Operating an illegal State Assembly of four men by any Governor is something everyone should condemn in totality and welcome the court’s judgment.

“In the wake of this judgement, NDCC urges Governor Fubara to immediately reverse all his decisions and actions based on the illegitimate Assembly since they all suffer the same defect as the budget the court threw out.

“The governor must also strongly consider refunding all the Rivers States’ funds illegally expended from January to date.”