By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 18 for ruling on a motion seeking to restrain the National Assembly from approving the 2025 budget and political appointments made by the Rivers State Government under its current Sole Administrator.
Our correspondent recalls that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) was appointed as Sole Administrator of Rivers by President Bola Tinubu following the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Justice James Omotosho set the date after hearing arguments from counsel to the plaintiffs, Ambrose Owuru, and defence lawyer, Mohammed Galadima.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1190/2025, was filed by several indigenes of Rivers State and a civil society group, the Registered Trustees of Hope Africa Foundation. Other plaintiffs include King Oziwe Amba, Chief Julius Bulous, Chief George Ikeme, Chief Amachelu Orlu, and Prince Odioha Wembe.
They are seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the National Assembly and its Clerk,named as the 1st and 2nd defendants,from approving or engaging in any legislative activity in support of the Rivers State Government, including the endorsement of budgets or appointments.
The applicants argue that the proposed budget forwarded by Ibas is unconstitutional, having been based on a “voice vote” procedure allegedly not recognized under the 1999 Constitution.
They also contend that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers lacked proper legislative backing.
Owuru, in his submission, asked the court to stop the National Assembly from acting on any request from the emergency government pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
He maintained that the voice vote used to approve emergency rule was invalid, as it failed to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority.
In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants had continued to approve “illegal” appointments and budgetary actions submitted by the “foisted” administrator, despite ongoing protests and growing unrest in the state.
“The respondents have constituted committees to manage and expend the resources of Rivers State without constitutional backing. “Unless restrained, the illegalities will persist,”they stated.
They further argued that granting the motion would safeguard their constitutional right to be governed by an elected government in accordance with Nigeria’s democratic principles.
However, the counsel for the National Assembly, Galadima, opposed the motion, describing it as lacking merit.
In a counter-affidavit, the defendants denied any wrongdoing, calling the plaintiffs’ claims “contrived falsehoods and misrepresentations.”
They insisted that all legislative processes followed due constitutional procedures and that no part of the Constitution had been violated.
According to them, halting legislative action on Rivers State matters could cause serious disruption and confusion in governance. They argued that granting the motion would not serve the interests of justice.
Justice Omotosho fixed July 18 for ruling on the motion.
Meanwhile, the Senate had, on June 25, passed the ₦1.485 trillion 2025 Rivers State budget following the third reading of the appropriation bill.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
