Rivers: “We Will Notify the CBN and Other Funding Agencies About the Court Ruling” – Ogwu Onoja

The Counsel for the Rivers State 27 lawmakers, Ogwu Onoja, has claimed that a recent ruling from the Federal High Court has serious consequences for the financial operations of the Rivers State government. He explained that the court has ordered that an appropriation bill must be approved by Martins Amaewhule’s House of Assembly before any funds can be withdrawn from the state’s Consolidated Fund.

Onoja emphasized that they will promptly enforce this ruling, intending to directly notify the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant agencies involved in fund distribution. He insisted that this step is necessary to ensure these organizations do not permit any financial allocations to the state government.

He highlighted that if an appropriation bill is not passed within six months, the state government will not be able to collect revenue from the Consolidated Fund.In an interview with Symfoni TV, he stated, “The court’s decision clearly outlines what needs to happen before the state can spend money. It is explicit that no funds can be appropriated without an approved appropriation bill from the House of Assembly.

The judgment by Omotosho, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, indicates that the budget was improperly passed. If the bill is not passed within six months, Rivers State cannot collect revenue from the Consolidated Fund, as mandated by law. The court has confirmed that the Rivers State government has not met the constitutional requirements for appropriating funds for expenditures and other necessary activities.

This ruling aims to address the ongoing financial irregularities in Rivers State concerning expenditure. We are committed to enforcing this judgment and will serve the ruling to the CBN and other agencies responsible for authorizing fund disbursement.”