The Supreme Court has nullified the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, citing grave violations of the Electoral Act.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that RSIEC failed to adhere to due process, including continuing voter registration even after announcing the election date.
The court deemed the entire process invalid due to substantial non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
Furthermore, the court determined that the election procedures were significantly compromised, contravening Section 150 of the Electoral Act, which outlines the legal framework for local government polls.
In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court placed restrictions on the release of funds to the Rivers State Government, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other financial institutions from disbursing money to the state.
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The court stated that the restriction would remain in place until the Rivers government complies with previous court orders.
Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, delivering a unanimous verdict from the five-member panel, also dismissed a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The court reaffirmed Amaewhule’s position and directed him to resume legislative duties alongside other elected members.
Additionally, the Supreme Court condemned Governor Fubara’s decision to present the state’s 2024 appropriation bill before a four-member assembly, ruling that such an act deprived twenty-eight constituencies of proper representation.
The justices described the move as a blatant disregard for judicial directives, emphasizing that the governor was required to re-submit the budget to the properly constituted legislature led by Amaewhule.
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The court also criticised Fubara’s handling of the alleged defection of twenty-eight lawmakers, labellingg it as an authoritarian attempt to suppress the functioning of the legislature.
Moreover, the justices denounced the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, attributing it to executive overreach and an effort to obstruct the assembly’s operations.
