Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has cautioned the judiciary in opposition to inflicting upset in Rivers State following yesterday’s judgment whereby a Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja ordered the Central Financial institution of Nigeria to halt all funds to the state.
In an announcement yesterday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the previous Vice President, stated it was appalling that some components loyal to the Federal Authorities had been pulling the strings from behind.
Atiku questioned why Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order when it was public information that Rivers State had already challenged the Court docket of Enchantment’s judgment on the legality of Rivers State’s 2024 finances.
He stated, “Final week the Court docket of Enchantment declared that the Rivers State finances was unlawful as a result of it was handed by an inchoate meeting. The courtroom ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to current the finances afresh.
“The Rivers State Authorities has already filed a discover of enchantment in order that the Supreme Court docket can hear the matter. Nonetheless, some components within the Bola Tinubu administration have procured a judgement meant to undermine the Supreme Court docket.
“Even earlier than the judgment was delivered, authorized luminary, Femi Falana (SAN) had alerted the Chief Justice of the Federal Excessive Court docket, Justice John Tsoho of attainable compromise after home items had been introduced to judges in Abuja. Sadly, Falana’s warning was ignored.”
Atiku hailed the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for summoning judges sitting on the Rivers State circumstances.
He, nonetheless, known as on the nation’s prime choose to make sure that these discovered wanting are disciplined with a view to restore the fading glory of God the judiciary.
The previous Vice President stated, “Nigeria has descended into the theatre of the absurd for the reason that Tinubu administration took workplace.
“Courts are enjoying a extra ignoble position in fostering political crises inside political events and even in states. From the emirship tussle in Kano State to the Rivers imbroglio the place courts are going so far as stopping elections from holding, taking Nigeria again to the darkish days of June 12, 1993 the place polls had been annulled.
“Sadly, beneath the management of those that declare to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy, the nation is descending into chaos with conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction flying far and wide whereas judges are being induced within the title of empowerment and provision of homes.
“The result’s that Nigerians are regularly dropping confidence in an establishment which prides itself because the final hope of the frequent man. Overseas buyers will keep away from anywhere the place judgments might be purchased by the best bidder.
“Nigeria shouldn’t descend to the Hobessian state of nature the place life is brief, nasty and brutish, the place residents go for self-help. Rivers State accounts for nearly 25% of Nigeria’s oil belongings. For a rustic going through an financial disaster worsened by vandalism and banditry, Tinubu ought to put his 2027 ambition apart and put Nigeria’s curiosity first.
“We name on the Nigerian judiciary to revive its picture earlier than it will get too late.”
