Supreme Court Sacks Rivers Local Government Chairmen

Supreme Court Sacks Rivers Local Government Chairmen

The Supreme Court has declared the local government election held on October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) invalid. Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivering the judgment, ruled that the election violated the Electoral Act on significant grounds.

Justice Tukur stated that the action of the RSIEC was void due to a lack of substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and its guidelines, particularly as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing the election date. The court found that the process leading up to the local government election was severely shortened, violating Section 150 of the Electoral Act.

In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court issued an injunction barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with court orders. The court condemned the Rivers State government for its blatant disobedience to these orders.

The court also dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the validity of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. In a unanimous decision, the five-member panel, in a judgment that lasted one hour and thirty-six minutes, ordered the immediate resumption of sittings by Speaker Amaewhule and other elected members of the Assembly.

The court ruled that it was unlawful for Governor Fubara to present an appropriation bill before a four-member House of Assembly, which left 28 constituencies without proper representation. This was deemed a violation of a court order requiring Fubara to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a duly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.

The court also criticized Governor Fubara’s actions regarding the alleged defection of 28 members of the Assembly, describing them as acts of dictatorship aimed at obstructing the Assembly’s legitimate functions under Amaewhule’s leadership. The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex by the governor was also condemned, with the court calling it an abuse of executive power designed to hinder the Assembly’s operations.