The Court of Appeal has delivered a verdict, dismissing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal regarding the nullification of the state’s 2024 budget.
The court ruled that Fubara’s withdrawal from the initial case at the Federal High Court rendered his appeal baseless.
Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, who delivered the lead judgment, emphasized that Fubara’s voluntary withdrawal from the suit meant he couldn’t claim to be aggrieved by the Federal High Court’s judgment.
Consequently, the appellate court barred Fubara from withholding funds from the House of Assembly and removing the Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
Furthermore, the Court of Appeal ordered Fubara to re-present the state budget to the House under the recognized Speaker, as stipulated in Justice James Omotosho’s judgment.
Justice Oyewole criticized Fubara’s actions, stating that his blunder in withdrawing from the suit couldn’t be redeemed by any advocacy.
The court also deemed Fubara’s appeal devoid of utilitarian value, as it couldn’t confer any advantage on him, having lost his legal rights through his voluntary withdrawal. Justice Oyewole noted that Fubara’s inconsistent approach to court matters, characterized by “approbating and reprobating” and “blowing hot and cold,” had no basis in law.
The court voided the passage of the 2024 budget by four out of 32 members, citing illegality. The court condemned Fubara’s executive recklessness in presenting the budget to only four members and signing it into law within 24 hours.
