By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—FORMER President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), has called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the 1999 constitution and grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, warning that the prevailing situation where the executive controls the finances of the judiciary is endangering the nation’s democracy.

Alegeh who spoke yesterday while delivering a lecture titled “Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria: The Role of the Judiciary”, at the first Founder’s Day Lecture of Edo State University, Iyamho,  noted that sections 81, 84,121 & 162 of the 1999 constitution as amended, “makes financial provisions for the judiciary.

“The provisions are supposed to give judiciary financial autonomy.”

and full control over its own funds. However, these provisions appear couched in a manner that creates issues of compliance. Financial autonomy of the judiciary is the bedrock for a dynamic and pragmatic judiciary. The Executive is advised not to engage in any action that would undermine the financial autonomy of the judiciary to work out a practical way of ensuring financial autonomy of the judiciary to work out a practical way of ensuring financial autonomy for the judiciary.

“There is need for the provisions of the 1999 constitution to be amended to give a more definitive provision for how funds due to the judiciary are to be determined and ascertained. A nation with a strengthened and vibrant judiciary will witness a renewed confidence by the citizenry in the justice delivery system, a reduction in crime rate, a decongestion of the prisons as well as increase in the revenue generation of the state and all these will strengthen our democracy” he said.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, said the vision of the university was to become a center of excellence in quality teaching, research, innovations and community development.

Other dignitaries at the event includes Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy Philip Shaibu, immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the University Governing Council, Prof.Pat Utomi and many others.