The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed the Federal High Court’s ruling that invalidated the N800 billion budget approved by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, associated with the Edison Ehie faction, as reported by Elanzanews.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, a three-judge panel, headed by Justice Joseph Oyewole, determined that the appeal brought forth by the Governor of Rivers State regarding the January 22 decision lacked merit.
Justice Oyewole, who authored the lead judgment, stated that the Governor could not appeal the ruling after previously withdrawing all relevant documents from the trial court.
In the January 22 ruling, Justice Omotosho characterized the enactment of the Rivers State’s 2024 Appropriation Bill by the five lawmakers, led by Ehie Edison, as an anomaly and a breach of legality.
As a result, he directed Governor Fubara to resubmit the budget to the Assembly headed by Martins Amaewhule.