In a significant legal development, the Appeal Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of the Rivers State Government, lifting a previous order that had stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing funds to the state. The three-member panel, led by Justice Hamman Barka, determined that the case did not fall within the jurisdiction of the lower court concerning state revenue.

The Appeal Court’s decision came after it reviewed a ruling made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in October. The Federal High Court judge had ruled that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, violated the Constitution by presenting the 2024 budget to a small group in the state’s House of Assembly. Justice Abdulmalik also claimed that the governor’s actions regarding the disbursement of state funds since January were unconstitutional.

In response, the lower court had issued orders blocking the state’s access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. However, the Appeal Court found these orders to be overreaching, unconstitutional, and beyond the jurisdiction of the court. As a result, the earlier decisions were set aside, and the Rivers State Government was given the green light to receive its rightful share of funds.

This ruling is seen as a major victory for the Rivers State Government, ensuring that it can now access the funds it is entitled to, which are crucial for state operations and development.