- Judicial Decisions Of This Nature Pose Serious Threat To Nigeria’s Democracy, Economic Stability
- CJN Must Act Decisively In Maintaining Judicial Standards, Caution Judges Against Destabilizing Rulings
- Nigerians Are Losing Confidence In Judiciary’ — Atiku Cries Out
Outrage has greeted the recent Federal High Court ruling that restricts the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions from releasing monthly allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee to the Rivers State Government.
The Matrix earlier reported that the political crisis bedevilling Rivers State took another dimension as the State House of Assembly has taken steps to cut off financial allocations to the state government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, issued the order on Wednesday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Rivers Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
In the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24) filed by the Amaewhule faction, the defendants included the CBN, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and several others.
The plaintiffs argued that Governor Fubara failed to comply with a previous court order requiring him to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Amaewhule-led faction.
They highlighted that the court, in an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho, had recognized Hon. Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Assembly and invalidated a budget proposal submitted to a smaller faction led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The Amaewhule faction also noted that the Court of Appeal had upheld the High Court’s decision in their favor. They accused Governor Fubara of making unauthorized withdrawals from the state’s consolidated revenue, violating Section 120 of the amended 1999 Constitution.
The development had triggered reactions from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who have expressed profound concern over the ruling.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, he warned that judicial decisions of this nature pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, economic stability, and the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
“It is deeply troubling that certain judicial rulings appear to serve the interests of a select few, undermining the rule of law and the foundational tenets of Nigeria’s democracy,” Rafsanjani stated.
“Nigeria’s states are vital components of our constitutional framework, led by elected governors charged with managing resources for the benefit of citizens. Blocking allocations not only undermines this autonomy but sets a dangerous precedent, risking destabilization and endangering regions currently at peace.”
Rafsanjani called attention to the growing perception that some judicial actors are compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
“In the past, positions in our judiciary were held with integrity, and reckless rulings were unthinkable. But recent events in Kano and Rivers suggest a troubling trend, where rulings risk eroding public trust, discouraging investment, and further challenging our judicial processes and systems.”
The statement emphasized the role of international accountability, noting, “Judicial officers should remember that organizations like Transparency International and the World Justice Project rank judiciary systems globally.
Nigeria’s position on the Transparency Perception Index reflects our need for transparent governance. Actions that disrupt constitutional allocations will only harm our global standing and drive away potential investors who lack confidence in the judicial system.”
He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to act decisively in maintaining judicial standards and to caution judges against rulings that could inadvertently destabilize Nigeria’s democracy or economic structure.
“CISLAC urges the judiciary to hold firm to democratic values, ensuring decisions respect the constitution and reflect the will of Nigerians, safeguarding both state and national stability.”
READ ALSO: Court Orders CBN To Halt Financial Allocations To Rivers State Government Over Budget Violation
“In these challenging times, CISLAC calls on the judiciary, the executive, and all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and prioritize the welfare of Nigerians above all other considerations,” the statement concluded. “Our nation’s stability, unity, and progress must remain at the forefront of governance efforts.”
On his part, Abubakar while reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, warned that the judiciary’s actions could “destabilise” Rivers State.
He said it was appalling that “elements loyal to the federal government were pulling strings” from behind.
He questioned Abdulmalik’s decision to issue an injunction while Rivers state’s legal challenge was still underway at the court of appeal.
“Last week the Court of Appeal declared that the Rivers State budget was illegal because it was passed by an inchoate assembly,” the statement reads.
“The court ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the budget afresh — the Rivers State Government has already filed a notice of appeal so that the Supreme Court can hear the matter.
“However, some elements in the Bola Tinubu administration have procured a judgement intended to undermine the Supreme Court.
READ ALSO: Conflicting Court Rulings In Rivers: Judges In Trouble As NJC Launches Probe
“Even before the judgment was delivered, legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN) had alerted the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho of possible compromise after house gifts had been presented to judges in Abuja. Sadly, Falana’s warning was ignored.”
Atiku said the country has “descended into the theatre of the absurd” since President Bola Tinubu administration took office.
He added that the “courts play a more ignoble role in fostering political crises within political parties and even in states.”
“From the Emirship tussle in Kano State to the Rivers imbroglio where courts are going as far as preventing elections from holding, taking Nigeria back to the dark days of June 12, 1993 where polls were annulled,” he said.
“Sadly, under the leadership of those who claim to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy, the country is descending into chaos with conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction flying all over the place while judges are being induced in the name of empowerment and provision of houses.
“The result is that Nigerians are gradually losing confidence in an institution which prides itself as the last hope of the common man.
“Foreign investors will avoid any place where judgments can be bought by the highest bidder.
“Nigeria should not descend to the Hobessian state of nature where life is short, nasty and brutish, where citizens opt for self-help. Rivers State accounts for almost 25% of Nigeria’s oil assets.
“For a country facing an economic crisis worsened by vandalism and banditry, Tinubu should put his 2027 ambition aside and put Nigeria’s interest first.”
Atiku, however, commended Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), for summoning judges handling Rivers state cases.
He asked the CJN to discipline errant judges to restore the judiciary’s integrity.
