The Supreme Court has ruled that Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, must pay N5 million in legal costs to 27 state lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The verdict, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, upheld previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. It confirmed that Governor Fubara engaged in unconstitutional actions to undermine the State Assembly in an attempt to prevent his impeachment.
The court found that Fubara obstructed legislative proceedings, blocked lawmakers from the Assembly complex, and sought intervention from the National Assembly to take over the Rivers State legislature. It also ruled that the 27 lawmakers remained legitimate members of the Assembly, dismissing claims of their seats being vacant due to defection.
Justice Agim criticized Fubara for “dismantling governance” over fears of impeachment, concluding that his actions were detrimental to constitutional democracy.
