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Rivers Speaker Martins Amaewhule has said that with Monday’s Supreme Court judgement, the end of what he described as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s ‘rascality’ is near.
Reacting to the Monday’s judgement that dismissed the Governor’s appeal, Amaewhule in a statement by His Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu traced the genesis of the Supreme Court’s judgement.
Amaewhule recalled that the Federal High Court presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho, on January 22, 2024, delivered his judgement affirming the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers.
He said dissatisfied with the judgement, Fubara filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, where the judgement of the lower court was upheld.
Amaewhule said Fubara appealed the matter at the Supreme Court but the case was dismissed, bringing the legal battle to an end.
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He said: “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the people of Rivers State are elated with this judgement,” the Speaker declared; commending the five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court for upholding justice and reaffirming the rule of law”.
Amaewhule extended gratitude to leaders of Rivers State, who supported the Assembly throughout the period, especially the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
He condemned Fubara’s refusal to provide the Assembly with its statutory entitlements for nearly a year, adding that the governor thought they would be starved.
He said the Monday’s judgment had strengthened their resolve and hope in the judiciary and accused Fubara of having reputation for consistently disregarding court orders
He, however, warned that that all eyes were on the Governor to see whether he would disobey the Supreme Court’s verdict.
While addressing the issue of vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Amaewhule maintained that one former member passed away, another absconded from duty and three other seats were declared vacant following absenteeism.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions.
Amaewhule reminded Fubara of injunctive orders issued by Justice Omotosho, which barred him from withholding funds meant for the Assembly.
He said: “The end to this rascality is very near”, emphasising that the House remained committed to upholding the mandate given to them by the electorate.
Amaewhule said that Fubara had been spending taxpayers’ money for a year without appropriation, in clear defiance of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal Judgements.
“Today’s judgment confirms that Governor Fubara has been in gross violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” he said.
