- The Office of the Accountant-General confirmed that Rivers State will continue receiving federal allocations despite ongoing legal disputes over fund disbursement
- Rivers State’s government appealed a court ruling restricting the Central Bank from releasing funds, ensuring allocations remain uninterrupted
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed that Rivers State will continue to receive its federal allocations despite an ongoing legal tussle over the disbursement of funds.
This decision follows an appeal filed by the Rivers State government challenging a court ruling that had earlier restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing allocations to the state.
During an interview, Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, clarified that the decision aligns with the legal principle of maintaining the status quo.
“We are committed to obeying court orders,” Mokwa stated. “The Rivers State government has filed a notification of appeal, which includes a stay of execution. This means we will continue to allocate funds to the state.”
The legal dispute began in July when a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, filed a lawsuit against the CBN, commercial banks, and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The suit sought to prevent financial disbursements to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, arguing that the 2024 Appropriation Bill, presented to a five-member assembly, lacked proper legislative backing.
On October 30, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favor of the Amaewhule-led faction, restraining the CBN from releasing funds to Rivers State.
However, Governor Fubara’s administration appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment for a later date.
Despite the unresolved legal issues, the OAGF has assured that Rivers State’s allocations will not be withheld, ensuring the state continues to access federal funds as the legal process unfolds.