According to VANGUARD, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern warning to the judiciary, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to unrest in Rivers State. This caution comes in response to a recent judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend all financial transactions with Rivers State.
In a statement released by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed his concerns about the influence of certain groups associated with the Federal Government, suggesting they are manipulating judicial decisions from behind the scenes. He questioned the rationale behind Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s issuance of the order, especially since Rivers State has already appealed a prior Court of Appeal ruling regarding the legality of its 2024 budget.
According to Atiku, the previous week’s Court of Appeal decision deemed the Rivers State budget illegal due to its passage by an incomplete assembly, instructing Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reintroduce the budget for approval. He noted that the Rivers State Government has since filed a notice of appeal for the Supreme Court to review the case.
Atiku criticized elements within Bola Tinubu’s administration for allegedly seeking a judgment that undermines the Supreme Court’s authority. He also highlighted concerns raised by legal expert Femi Falana (SAN), who had warned Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, about potential judicial manipulation, following instances of gifts being presented to judges in Abuja. Despite these serious concerns, Atiku lamented that Falana’s warnings went unheeded.