Appeal Court nullifies Judgment seeking to seize Rivers people’s statutory allocation/revenue by the pro-Wike group; opposition lawmakers coalition hails Judgment as a victory for constitutional democracy and restoring the judiciary’s image.

The Three-member panel, presided by Justice Hamman Barka, held that the subject matter was not within the jurisdiction of the court relating to the revenue of the state, reports Channels TV.

While allowing the appeal of the Rivers State government, the appellate court also set aside all the orders made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, stating that it was unconstitutional for her to make orders restricting Rivers State government to receive funds due to the state from its consolidated revenue fund.

The appellate court held that the lower court overreached itself and didn’t have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

In October, Justice Abdulmalik of the Abuja Federal High Court held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was a breach of the Constitution and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

Justice Abdulmalik specifically said that the governor’s action was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge subsequently restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts.

Meanwhile HURIWA, JOINT action for democracy, Lawyers in defence of democracy, Opposition Lawmakers Coalition hails Judgement as a historic decision that have preserved the principle of Federalism and constitutional democracy.

The appeal court in a judgement delivered today 13th December 2024 by Justice Barka said the federal high court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit seeking to seize Rivers State allocation in the first place and that mere listing of Federal agencies does not confer unrestricted jurisdiction on the federal high court . That the subject matter which is the appropriation issue of a state should not have been entertained.

The news led to widespread jubilation in the state as Rivers people hit the street in celebration.