The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Federal High Court’s ruling that nullified the N800 billion budget passed by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie.
On Thursday, the appellate court rejected the appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating it lacked merit.
The court ruled that Governor Fubara withdrew his counter-affidavit in the lower court and therefore cannot file an appeal in a case he did not contest at the trial stage.
In a unanimous decision, the court emphasized that Governor Fubara should adhere to the rule of law, not the rule of force.
It further stated that the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly reflects executive dictatorship by the governor, calling it a situation that has gone too far.
