Supreme Court Judgment: Femi Falana Clarifies Rivers State Matter

By Emmanuel Kwada

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has shed light on the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the Rivers State matter. According to him, the appeal filed against the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the state’s budget has been withdrawn because it has been overtaken by events.

The budget in question, which was for 2024, has since expired, and the state is now focusing on the 2025 budget.

Falana explained that the legislators’ defection, which occurred after the High Court and Court of Appeal judgments, is currently being challenged in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. He emphasized that the withdrawal of the appeal was a deliberate decision, contrary to the misinformation circulating among Nigerians. The normal procedure after withdrawing an appeal is for it to be dismissed, as the parties have joined issues.

Falana explained that the legislators’ defection, which occurred after the High Court and Court of Appeal judgments, is currently being challenged in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt

However, Falana clarified that the withdrawal of the appeal does not mean that Amewule remains the speaker, as he has defected after the lower court’s judgment. This defection is being contested in the Federal High Court, and the matter is still pending.

Read Also: Breaking: Supreme Court Dismisses Gov Fubara’s Suit Against Pro-Wike 27 Rivers Lawmakers.