Court takes action on lawsuit to stop distribution of funds to Rivers Local Government, details emerge

• A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned its judgment on a suit filed by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly
• Allegations of bias Judge Joyce Abdulmalik refused to recuse herself from the case, rejecting motions that questioned her impartiality
• Counsel for Rivers State, Mr. Gordie Uche, SAN, argued that the case should be referred to the Federal High Court in Rivers State

Port Hacourt, Rivers State – A Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred judgment on a contentious suit seeking to compel the Federal Government to delay the release of funds meant for Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State.

The case initiated by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule, is set to have significant implications for local governance and finance in the state.

Judge Abdulmalik rejects the recall due to allegations of bias

Judge Joyce Abdulmalik presided over the hearing on Friday, October 25, during which she refused to recuse herself from the case despite motions suggesting she was potentially biased.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, names several defendants including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Zenith Bank Plc, Access to the bank Plc and Chief Accountant of the Federation.

Additional defendants include Rivers State Governor Siminalai Fubara, Chief Accountant Rivers, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and various judicial figures in the state.

During the hearing, the Rivers State lawyer, Mr. Gordie Uche, SAN, told the court that Abuja The Division of the Court of Appeals has already considered related issues.

“We filed an application to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of this court to hear the case,” Uche said.

He emphasized that the Federal Supreme Court in Rivers State was the appropriate venue for such a dispute.

He also noted that the appeal under No. CA/ABJ/CV/1197/2024 was scheduled for consideration along with the motion to stay the proceedings.

The defendants raised concerns about Justice Abdulmalik’s impartiality, arguing that her conduct during the trial called into question her ability to handle the case fairly, The Punch reported.

The Accountant General of Rivers State, represented by Barrister Mr. Tuturu Edem, SAN, described the judge’s approach as “strange and unbelievable”, echoing similar sentiments of the CBN and other parties involved.

In response to allegations of bias and motions filed, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed them, calling the claims “frivolous, offensive, baseless and mischievous”.

Her firm decision shows the court’s determination to proceed with the case despite the surrounding controversies, Vanguard reports.

As the court reserved its judgment, the case continued to attract public attention, highlighting the ongoing legal disputes over the management and distribution of resources in Rivers State.

PDP group warns Fubaru, Imo lawmaker, of attack on Wike

in another development, Legit.ng reported that Rivers State Governor Siminalai Fubara and Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives for attacking the FCT minister, Nysom Wike.

The National Progressive Youth Initiative PDP has said it will no longer tolerate attacks on Wike from Fubara and those he called “Fubara agents in the National Assembly.”

Source: Legit.ng