The Supreme Court has dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s lawsuit against 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers State. The ruling upholds their legislative authority, voids Fubara’s budget approvals, and orders him to pay N4 million in costs. This decision follows earlier court rulings against Fubara’s legislative actions, intensifying Rivers State’s political crisis.
The Supreme Court has dismissed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s lawsuit seeking to challenge the 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike. The ruling, delivered on Monday by Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji, came after Fubara’s legal team, led by Yusuf Ali (SAN), withdrew the appeal, citing that "events had overtaken the suit."
With no objections from the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the court dismissed the case and ordered Fubara to pay N4 million in legal costs to the Assembly.
Legal experts, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Njemanze, stated that the ruling solidifies the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers, effectively allowing them to regain full legislative control. The court also ruled that all actions taken by Fubara without their participation—including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets—are now void.
The case follows a series of legal battles between Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers. Earlier, the Federal High Court had nullified the passage of the Rivers State N800 billion budget, deeming it unlawful since it was approved by only four lawmakers. The court also criticized Fubara for demolishing part of the Assembly complex and withholding legislative funds, actions it described as unconstitutional.
With this Supreme Court ruling, the political tension in Rivers State intensifies, as the pro-Wike lawmakers regain their authority in the House of Assembly.
