Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the N100,000 Christmas bonus recently credited to their accounts by Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing the cash gift as unsolicited and unapproved.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night and signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, the lawmakers said the funds were transferred on the governor’s instructions without legislative approval. They emphasized that, as an institution guided by the law, they could not accept any public expenditure that falls short of due process.
George noted that since 2023, Governor Fubara has continued to withdraw funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Accounts without approval from the House, despite repeated warnings, Supreme Court judgments, and constitutional provisions. He stressed that all public expenditures must follow the law, including obtaining legislative consent.
He further warned state government staff against colluding with the governor or others in contravening the Constitution and Rivers State laws, reiterating the House’s awareness of unlawful financial practices.
The returned funds, the lawmakers confirmed, were immediately sent back to the account of the Rivers State Government upon discovery of the unsolicited transfers.
