Osinbajo to state govt: Grant financial autonomy to judiciary

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged state governments that are yet to implement the Firstline Charge for Judiciary to do so for the improvement of the judiciary.

According to Osinbajo, the development will give financial autonomy to the judicial arm of government at state level.

Osinbajo stated this on Monday during the Nigerian Law School Class ’85’ Reunion award ceremony at the Sheraton Hotels in Abuja.

Represented by the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Vice President said granting financial autonomy to the judiciary at state levels would bring about great improvement in the judiciary.

He said ,”I pray the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) takes more Interest in the implementation process.

“As at date, I’m informed that only few states have taken steps to implement this Constitutional imperative to guarantee financial independence for the judiciary.

“Hence, the Bar, as well as the state legislature as public advocates and representatives need to monitor and guide compliance in the interest of the legal profession and public good.

“As Federal Government, we are also considering some submissions as to the best way of ensuring implementation without infringing on the constitutional autonomy of states for ensuring any guaranteed principles of federalism.”

In his remarks, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the event, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, called on the group “as seasoned members of the law profession to constructively appraise actions of government.

“And where necessary, criticise with suggestions any action of the Legislative or Executive arm of government for this will enable the government to know your thoughts and correct misrepresentation or redirect our actions to meet the greatest good of the entire country,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of Class ’85’ Nigerian Law School, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), said that the provision in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which made for provision for financial autonomy must be adhered to.

“The Bar association had always clamoured that provisions in the Constitution should be implemented. The Judiciary should be able to have their allocations direct from the allocation to the state and spend it as other arms of government. So I support that law,” Ngige said.

The Daily Times recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had on June 8, assented to the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill, which granted financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly and the States’ Judiciary.

With the signing of the bill into law, the State Houses of Assembly would now operate like the National Assembly where Federal Ministry of Finance automatically transferred budgetary allocation direct to the account of the National Assembly.