The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed an appeal filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

Governor Fubara’s legal counsel, Yusuf Ali, SAN, withdrew the appeal, stating that the case had been overtaken by events. Following the withdrawal, the Supreme Court struck out the case and ordered Fubara to pay N2 million in costs to the Assembly and Speaker Amaewhule.

The legal battle originated from a Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja, which criticized Governor Fubara for presenting the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of the 31 Assembly members. The appellate court ruled that this action violated the 1999 Constitution, which mandates proper legislative procedures for the passage of state budgets.