The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the leadership of the state’s House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule. A five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji ruled against Fubara and imposed a ₦2 million fine, payable to the Assembly and Amaewhule.
The case was withdrawn by Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, leading to its dismissal. The Rivers Assembly has been in crisis since 2023, when over 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike defected from the PDP to the APC. This led to a leadership dispute between Amaewhule’s faction and a rival group led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, who aligns with Fubara.
Governor Fubara has been working with the Oko-Jumbo faction while disregarding Amaewhule’s leadership. In October 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that nullified the ₦800 billion 2024 budget passed by Fubara’s allies, stating that the appeal lacked merit.
