Fubara had sent the budget for 2024 to a four-man House of Assembly for approval on December 13 amid his feud with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The court also upheld the suit filed by the Rivers House of Assembly and its Speaker Martin Amaewhule, against Fubara, which sought an order of injunction restraining the governor from frustrating the assembly under his leadership as speaker, among others.

Martin Amaewhule, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had named the National Assembly, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader, the House of Representatives Speaker, House Deputy Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Clerk to the National Assembly were as first to 10th defendants, respectively.

The Governor of Rivers state, Attorney-General of Rivers, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Inspector-General of Police and Edison Ehie, were also listed as the 11th to the 17th defendants, respectively.

Ken Njemanze, counsel for the plaintiffs, accused the governor of interfering with the performance and functions of the state lawmakers contrary to the doctrine of the separation of powers.

He 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.