Court of Appeal Upholds Amaewhule as Authentic Speaker of Rivers State Assembly

• The court reaffirmed Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.
• The court invalidated the 2024 budget presented by Governor Fubara to only four Assembly members.
• The court issued an injunction restraining Governor Fubara from impeding the Assembly’s operations under Amaewhule’s leadership.
• Governor Fubara was ordered to pay N500,000 to each of the respondents in the appeal.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s appeal, reaffirming Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly. The appellate court’s unanimous ruling validated the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly as genuine lawmakers for the state.

Background of the Case

The Rivers State Assembly was embroiled in a leadership crisis due to the strained relationship between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Governor Fubara had presented the 2024 budget to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly, leading to a violation of section 91 of the 1999 Constitution.

Court Ruling

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court initially nullified the 2024 budget, stating it was not properly presented before the Assembly. The appellate court upheld this verdict, emphasizing that Governor Fubara’s actions were unconstitutional and amounted to contempt of court.

This ruling brings clarity to the leadership crisis in the Rivers State Assembly, reaffirming the rule of law and the principles of democracy.