Real reason Rivers will continue to receive allocations despite legal dispute – FG

The Federal Government has clarified that Rivers State will not be denied its federal allocation, even amid ongoing legal proceedings.

Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Bawa Mokwa, stated on Friday that the government would respect court directives regarding the matter.

“Since there is a notice of appeal, the notice of appeal has overridden the earlier court judgment. So far, it is a court order that we will obey; if there is a notice of appeal, Rivers will be paid,” Mokwa explained.

This comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling on October 30 barring the Federal Government from disbursing monthly allocations to Rivers State. The decision, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to restrict the state’s access to funds in the consolidated revenue account.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24) filed by the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

However, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appealed the decision. On Friday, he urged the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn the high court’s judgment. Represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yusuf Ali, the governor argued that the ruling was made in bad faith.

Governor Fubara’s appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1303/2024, seeks to nullify the orders issued by Justice Abdulmalik. A three-member appellate panel led by Justice Hamma Barka heard the governor’s plea and consolidated five related appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1277/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1196/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1287/24, CA/ABJ/CV/1293/24, and CA/ABJ/CV/1360/2024.

Other appellants in the case include the Rivers State Government, the Accountant-General of Rivers State, and Zenith Bank Plc.

The case remains under judicial consideration, but for now, federal allocations to Rivers State will continue under the law.