KEY POINTS
- CBN barred from releasing funds to Rivers State over Assembly dispute.
- MOSOP, Rivers leaders, Atiku raise concerns on judiciary’s decision role.
- Rivers’ government and key stakeholders intend appeal, saying the ruling threatens the province’s economic stability.
The blockage of federal monies to River State as ordered by a Federal High Court has caused security jitters amongst some notable members ranging from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP).
Rivers funding freeze
Court bans Rivers funds release in open fraud suit led by state House of Assembly. It comes after Assembly legislators alleged that Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, did not abide by Assembly procedures.
But Dickson’s media adviser, Mr Femi Fani Kadri, lampooned the court’s order, adding it could destabilize Rivers, an important oil producing state.
In a statement, Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP president, called the ruling as being unjust and that withholding resources could provoke civil unrest. “Nigeria’s stability and economic security could suffer severely as a result of suppressing Rivers State,” he said.
There is widespread concern about judicial integrity and regional stability
The ruling was questioned by Rivers State leaders like Governor Fubara and State Commissioner Joe Johnson, who also vowed to appeal.
In addition, accusing the judiciary of bias, but described the decision as a threat to democracy, the National Coordinator of the South South Elders Forum, Chief Anabs Sara- Igbe said the judgment was completely despotic.
According to Vanguard, Stakeholders are increasingly calling on the judiciary to move swiftly to desist from judicial intervention that they fear threaten to erode democratic institutions and escalate regional instability.
