The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, says the Federal Government will be acting in order if it releases the blocked monthly allocation to the newly sworn-in Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.).
While speaking to State House correspondents today March 19, Fagbemi opined that the allocation of the state was initially seized due to the extraordinary situation that arose in the oil-rich state.
“An extraordinary situation has arisen in Rivers State. When the administrator comes, he may request for these funds, and to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things.”
In a judgement delivered on February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the then-Siminalayi Fubara government until it purged itself of what the apex court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
President Bola Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu; as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly members.
Tinubu hinged his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he can’t continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking any action.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog