The Rivers State government has addressed the recent Supreme Court ruling, which upheld a federal high court judgment preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to the state.
Joseph Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, stated on Friday that the government is carefully assessing the situation to determine the best course of action for the people of Rivers. He emphasized that the state has yet to receive a comprehensive briefing on the ruling’s implications.
“We acknowledge media reports regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment on Rivers State funds and local government administration. At this stage, we await a detailed analysis of the judgment’s impact. Our next steps will prioritize the interests of Rivers State and its citizens,” Johnson said.
He urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the government seeks clarity on the matter. Johnson also noted that the issue of the defection of 27 lawmakers, currently pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, was not addressed by the Supreme Court.
“Since the defection issue was not before the learned Justices, Amaewhule and the 26 others remain lawmakers in the eyes of the court until the matter is formally presented,” he concluded.
