The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday declared the N800bn 2024 budget signed into law by the Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara, as illegal
The Informant247 had earlier reported that following the approval of the N800bn 2024 appropriation bill by Edison Ehie-led five-man Rivers Assembly members, governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday, December 14, signed into law the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’.
It was gathered that the Rivers Assembly became factionalised following a move by 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike to impeach Fubara.
However, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that everything done by the four lawmakers was null and void while also recognising Martin Amaewhule as the state assembly speaker.
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The Informant247 had earlier reported that following the approval of the N800bn 2024 appropriation bill by Edison Ehie-led five-man Rivers Assembly members, governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday, December 14, signed into law the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’.
The Informant247 gathered that the governor signed the bill into law barely 24 hours after presenting the budget estimates to the state House of Assembly amid a political crisis in the State.
The signing ceremony was held in the conference room of the Governor’s Office at the Government House.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; some members of the State Executive Council; present and former lawmakers who support Governor Fubara; and some chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Local Government Areas.
The governor, in his address, said the estimated N800bn, tagged, ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity,’ will be well implemented to provide critical infrastructure like the second phase of the landmark Trans-Kalabari road and meet the socio-economic needs of the people.
On his part, EdiEhie, one of those contending for the Speakership seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly, commended the governor’s foresight in expanding infrastructure and youth development through employment generation.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, in a dramatic twist of events, presented the 2024 Budget to a five-person state Assembly.
It was gathered that the Speaker of the Assembly, Edison Ehie, also declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant.
It would be recalled that the five-man assembly was presided over by Edison Ehie, who was on Tuesday backed by a ruling of the Rivers State High Court as the authentic Speaker of the state Assembly.
Tagged as the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity’, the Rivers State Executive Council had earlier approved the budget estimates.
During the Wednesday proceedings, Edison also declared vacant the seat of 27 of 32 lawmakers who defected to APC.