The Rivers State government has responded to the recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which ordered a freeze on local government allocations, stating that they expected this outcome based on developments during the court proceedings.
Joe Johnson, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, remarked on Wednesday, October 30, “When the trial judge refused to include the 23 Council Chairmen as parties, denied our request to change lawyers, and overruled our jurisdiction objection, it was clear—we saw this coming.”
Johnson also mentioned that the state government has appealed the decision and is optimistic that the Court of Appeal will overturn the ruling.
The judgment mandates the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt all payments to the local government councils. This ruling adds tension to the ongoing power struggle between former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminialayi Fubara.
