A recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja has blocked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing federal allocations to the Rivers State Government. The decision came after allegations that Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the state’s 2024 budget to a diminished four-member House of Assembly rather than a fully recognized legislative body, a move deemed unconstitutional.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the case, emphasized that the allocation disbursement since January 2024 was unauthorized and violated Nigeria’s constitution. The court order also restricts other financial institutions, including Zenith and Access Bank, from releasing funds from federal and consolidated accounts to Rivers State. This action was prompted by concerns that Fubara’s administration bypassed proper legislative processes, effectively rendering the budget’s implementation invalid.