The court of appeal has declared that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit seeking to seize Rivers State’s allocation.
The suit was delivered today, December 13, 2024 by Justice Barka.
The Appeal Court’s verdict nullified the earlier judgment, stating that the Federal High Court overstepped its bounds by interfering in a state’s appropriation issue. According to Justice Barka, the listing of federal agencies does not grant the Federal High Court unrestricted jurisdiction.
Reacting, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, praised the Appeal Court’s decision, saying it has averted anarchy and constitutional disorder planned by the pro-Wike group.
He said, “The state house of assembly has a legitimate issue because of the illegal defections from PDP to APC which is currently before the court , the sacked lawmakers have been seeking for anarchy to be unleashed on the state and putting pressure on our courts in a desperate bid to undermine democracy in Rivers State. According to Supreme Court judgement, the 4-man House of Assembly is recognized by law and until the Supreme court decides on the issue of their illegal decampment, they don’t have right to make law for the state.
“Until by election is held to fill those vacant seats, the remaining members can preside.
“The decision of the appeal court to nullify the judgement of the federal high court to order for the seizure of allocation of rivers state government is a welcome development and a triumph for rule of law, victory for true federalism and constitutional governance and should be applauded by all Nigerians that these eminent judges have interpreted already established judicial principle by the Supreme Court
“They have asserted the sacred principle of our constitutional governance and democracy, that there’s a difference between fund disbursement, funding federation account and state appropriation act which is an internal affairs of the state, which falls under the powers and jurisdiction of the state high courts which the federal high court has no business.
“You want the allocation of a state to be seized, so Nyesom Wike will be happy? You can understand when people are political sadist, when all they see is anarchy, inflicting pain on innocent people.
“This is a huge setback for pro Wike group who wants to use our sacred courts to be pursuing their petty malice against a man who did them no wrong,” Ikenga said.