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Court Strikes Down N800 Billion Rivers Budget Approved by Pro-Fubara Lawmakers
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has nullified the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led group of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The court upheld the suit filed by the Assembly and Speaker Martin Amaewhule against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, seeking an injunction to restrain the governor from frustrating the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Amidst a political crisis and the demolition of the Assembly Complex on December 13, 2023, Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget proposal of N800bn to a limited group at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The Assembly Complex was demolished by the state government, and a court order restrained Ehie’s contender, Martins Amaewhule, from using it.
Ehie and pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget, emphasising its focus on economic development and addressing socio-economic inequality. Following Ehie’s resignation, Amaewhule was reinstated as the Assembly’s Speaker after discussions with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Amaewhule and 25 lawmakers loyal to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike demanded that Fubara present the 2024 budget estimates afresh, leading to a legal dispute.
On Monday, Ken Njemanze, counsel for Amaewhule, accused Governor Fubara of interfering with the state lawmakers’ functions, violating the doctrine of the separation of powers.
Njemanze, therefore, sought an “order of injunction restraining the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS) from entertaining any request from the 11th defendant (Fubara) to take over the performance of the functions of Rivers Assembly, including its role to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Rivers in respect of matters that are within its constitutional and legislative competence.
“An order of mandatory injunction compelling the Inspector General of Police (whether by himself or by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force under his command) to provide and continue to provide adequate Security and protection for the 1st Plaintiff under the leadership of the 2nd Plaintiff as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the purpose of transacting the business of the 1st Plaintiff.
“An order restraining Fubara including the 12th, 13th and 14th defendants from withholding any amount standing to the credit of Rivers Assembly in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, including salaries and emoluments due and payable to the speaker, deputy speaker and other members of the house as well as to the clerk, deputy clerk and other members of staff of the assembly,” the plaintiff’s prayed among other reliefs.
Alternatively, the plaintiff sought an injunction restraining the respondents from withholding funds essential for the Assembly’s operations, encompassing salaries, allowances, emoluments, and meeting financial obligations, regardless of their description.
Initially, Justice James Omotosho noted that the 17th defendant, Ehie, stated through his attorney, Oluwole Aladedoye, that he had resigned from the Rivers State Assembly.
Omotosho asserted that Ehie lacks the capacity to sue or be sued in this case, given his resignation as the Speaker and a member of the Assembly.
Addressing the preliminary objection challenging his court’s jurisdiction, Omotosho affirmed that the suit was properly constituted before him.
Disagreeing with the plaintiffs regarding the governor’s powers, Omotosho noted that the authority to enact laws in a state is shared among the executive, the state Assembly, and local government areas.
Concerning the National Assembly taking over State Assembly functions, the judge clarified that such a scenario could only occur when state lawmakers are no longer conducting business, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws.
“There is nothing before this court showing that the River State House of Assembly is unable to carry out its functions,” Justice Omotosho said, and ruled that the issue was resolved in favour of the plaintiffs.
Justice Omotosho declared the removal of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, who was redeployed by the Rivers State Head of Service, null and void, saying its invalidity in the eyes of the law.
Highlighting constitutional provisions, Omotosho clarified that the appointment of a Clerk and Deputy Clerk is the prerogative of the Rivers State Speaker, subject to confirmation by lawmakers. Their appointment and remuneration, although civil servants, are governed by the Rivers State House Of Assembly Law.
The judge asserted that the first plaintiff is entitled to funds in the credit of Rivers Assembly in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, including salaries and emoluments.
He stressed that such entitlement cannot be halted by anyone, including the governor.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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