The Supreme Court has ruled that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara took actions that weakened the state’s House of Assembly in an attempt to prevent his impeachment.
The court found that before the 27 lawmakers defected, Fubara had already made moves that disrupted the legislative process and violated the Constitution.
The judgment followed a cross-appeal by Fubara, who challenged earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
The Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker Martin Amaewhule had also filed a case against him.
The Supreme Court ruled that Fubara acted unlawfully by interfering with the Assembly’s operations.
The court stated that after assuming office in 2023, Fubara believed some lawmakers, influenced by political opponents, were planning to remove him.
To prevent this, he made several moves that affected the legislative arm of government.
He blocked the Assembly from holding full sittings by ensuring that less than the required number of lawmakers could meet.
He also withheld funds meant for the Assembly’s operations and removed key officials, including the Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
One of the most serious accusations was that Fubara authorized the demolition of the Assembly complex using bulldozers and other heavy equipment.
This left lawmakers without a place to hold sessions.
In addition, he prevented members and staff of the Assembly from entering the complex, making it impossible for them to perform their duties.
The court also ruled that Fubara disobeyed court orders that had restrained him from interfering with the Assembly.
Despite legal restrictions, he continued to block the participation of the 27 lawmakers by allowing only a small group to meet outside the official complex.
He also attempted to get the National Assembly to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Supreme Court concluded that Fubara’s actions collapsed the legislative arm of government in Rivers State.
It ruled that a government cannot function properly without the three arms—executive, legislature, and judiciary.
The court rejected his argument that the defected lawmakers had lost their seats, stating that only the House could declare such vacancies.
The ruling stated that Fubara’s fear of impeachment did not justify his decisions.
Instead, his actions weakened governance in the state and created an environment where he ruled without legislative oversight.
The court described this as an attempt to govern as a sole authority rather than within a democratic structure.
