The Supreme Court has scheduled February 10, 2025, as the decisive date to hear five high-stakes cases involving the factions of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The cases, which have intensified the political rivalry in Rivers State, could have far-reaching implications for the state’s governance and budgetary process.
During a session presided over by a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji, the court granted an adjournment to allow the parties to file and exchange critical legal documents. For streamlined deliberation, the court consolidated four of the five appeals at the request of Joseph Daudu, SAN, counsel for the Wike faction.
The consolidated appeals include:
– SC/CV/1174/2024: Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Government and others.
– SC/CV/1175/2024: Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Governor and others.
– SC/CV/1176/2024: Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and others.
– SC/CV/1177/2024: Rivers State House of Assembly vs. the Accountant General of Rivers State and others.
In a separate appeal, SC/CV/1071A/2024, the Supreme Court also fixed the same February date for hearing after the withdrawal of a cross-appeal filed on November 18, 2024.
The legal tussle stems from a January 22, 2024, judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to four assembly members loyal to him. The court ruled that the budget should be re-presented to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is loyal to Minister Wike.
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In the aftermath of Justice Omotosho’s verdict, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a sister Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order halting the disbursement of federal allocations to Rivers State until the budget is presented to the Wike-aligned assembly faction. The Court of Appeal later upheld Omotosho’s judgment, further intensifying the battle for control in the state.
The February 10 hearing will not only determine the legitimacy of budgetary procedures in Rivers State but also reshape the balance of power between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike’s camps. With the political future of Rivers State hanging in the balance, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it prepares to deliver a verdict that could redefine governance in one of Nigeria’s most influential states.
Observers predict a tense showdown as the apex court navigates the complex political and legal dynamics at play. The outcome of these cases could set a precedent for resolving similar disputes nationwide, making this a landmark moment in Nigeria’s legal and political history.
