Pat Stevens/
The Supreme Court in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
This follows the withdrawal of the case by the governor’s legal team, led by Yusuf Ali, during proceedings today.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the suit and ordered Governor Fubara to pay ₦2 million in costs to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker Amaewhule.
The appeal originated from a contentious political dispute within the Assembly, which intensified after Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget to a minority faction led by Edison Ehie, bypassing the majority led by Speaker Amaewhule.
Courts had previously ruled against the governor’s actions, declaring them unconstitutional and ordering the budget to be re-presented to the legitimate Assembly leadership.
Observers suggest that Fubara’s decision to withdraw the appeal may reflect a strategic retreat, given consistent judicial rulings affirming Amaewhule’s leadership.
The move effectively ends the protracted legal battle over the Assembly’s leadership and further solidifies Amaewhule’s authority.
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