ABUJA – Some lawyers resident in Abuja on Friday expressed their support for the financial autonomy of states’ judiciary as being demanded by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that JUSUN instituted a suit before a Federal High Court,[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″] Abuja on the issue, while judgment was delivered in its favour.
The failure of state governments to implement the judgment led to the current nationwide strike by [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]JUSUN.
Mr Tayo Ademola, a lawyer, said that financial autonomy for the judiciary is a constitutional one, adding that it should not be negotiated or compromised.
“Not granting financial autonomy is a contravention of the provisions of Section I62 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“It provides that statutory allocation to the judiciary must be handled by the judicial arm of government directly.”
“The constitution effectively grants fiscal autonomy to the third arm of government and aims at
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protecting it from undue influence by the executive arm.”
Mr Dan Nwosu, another Abuja-based lawyer said that because the judiciary was a vital arm of government, it should be given financial autonomy to make it truly independent.
“If financial autonomy is not granted, it erodes the independence of the judiciary and makes it subservient or play a second fiddle to the executive.
“If the judiciary must remain impartial, then financial independence or autonomy is an indispensible factor,” Nwosu said.
Simlarly, another Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Bayo Taiwo, said financial independence would make the judiciary to perform its responsibilities more effectively.
“The judiciary needs to be given all that it takes to make it re-order our society through justice dispensation without fear or favour.
“Corruption, which is the bane in our country can be reduced when the judiciary is strengthened,” he said. (NAN)
