By Kamsi Anayo
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has invalidated the passage of 2024 Rivers state appropriation bill by Former Speaker loyal to Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, Hon.Edison Ehie.
The trial court also upheld the suit filed by the Speaker Martin Amaewhule, against Gov. Fubara, which sought an order of injunction restraining the governor from frustrating the assembly under his leadership as speaker, among others.
The court also held that the withholding of the state House of Assembly funds by the governor is unconstitutional and further restrained Fubara from frustrating the activities of the House of Assembly under Amaewhule.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the redeployment of the Clerk and deputy Clerk by the governor is null and void and ordered the inspector general of Police to give protection to Martin Amaewhule
Recall that the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in December, presented an N800 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2024 fiscal year to the four-member assembly.
Edison Ehie is a former House Leader who was removed from office for refusing to support an attempt to impeach Gov. Fubara by some of his colleagues. He later resigned from the assembly.
The Rivers assembly comprises 31 members.
The remaining 27 members had earlier defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
