Enugu govt inaugurates committee on judiciary financial autonomy

…sets Oct 19 deadline for report

The Enugu State Government has inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee to develop a framework for implementing financial autonomy for the state judiciary, with the committee mandated to submit its final report for presentation by 12 noon on October 19, 2026.

The committee was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah, pursuant to the agreement reached between the state government and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on September 17, 2025.

According to Onyia, the primary purpose of the committee is to develop and recommend a comprehensive, structured, transparent and sustainable framework for the effective implementation of financial autonomy for the Enugu State Judiciary.

“The primary purpose of the Committee is to develop and recommend a comprehensive, structured, transparent, and sustainable framework for the effective implementation of judicial financial autonomy for the Enugu State Judiciary,” he said.

He added that the committee would develop a comprehensive action plan, identify and resolve outstanding administrative, financial, accounting and operational issues, facilitate the implementation of the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJUS) for eligible staff, and develop an implementation roadmap specifying actions, responsible institutions and expected outcomes.

The committee’s terms of reference include reviewing the status of judicial financial autonomy across state judiciaries and the Federal Judiciary, examining relevant best practices and institutional arrangements, and identifying models suitable for adaptation in Enugu State.

It is also to assess the state’s existing legal, institutional, administrative and financial framework, identify challenges and recommend measures and a timeframe for achieving the desired arrangement.

The committee is further mandated to collate, reconcile and verify government’s financial obligations to the judiciary and its staff, including outstanding salaries, allowances, arrears and other employment entitlements. It will verify the legal basis for such payments and establish an accurate database of eligible staff through the review of staff establishment, nominal rolls, payroll and personnel records.

It will also assess the financial implications of CONJUS, including annual and monthly personnel costs and verified arrears, and develop an implementation roadmap specifying key actions, responsible institutions and expected outcomes.

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The committee is chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osinachi Nnajieze, and includes the Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Dr Felix Nnamani; Special Adviser on Labour Union Matters and Associations, Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa; Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity, Robinson O. Odo; Mr Raymond Aneke of the Office of the Accountant-General; and Mr Ken Chukwuegbo, Principal Secretary to the Governor.

Other members are Chief Magistrate Kingsley Eze, Chief Registrar, Enugu State High Court; Chief Magistrate Sparkle Iheobuna, Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal; Comrade Chinedu Eze, National Organizing Secretary, JUSUN; Comrade Sampson Ifedimma, Chairman, Enugu State JUSUN; Magistrate C.K.C. Idu, State Chairman, Magistrate Association of Enugu State; Dr Comrade Chinedu Mbah, National Vice-President, JUSUN South East; Comrade Jonas Onyia, State Secretary, JUSUN; and Comrade Ani Emeka Samuel, Assistant Secretary, Enugu State JUSUN.

Onyia said the committee would submit a preliminary report to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government by 12 noon on October 19, 2026.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, said the committee had addressed the outstanding issues and made recommendations on the financial implications for the state.

“We have sorted out all issues regarding that and had also considered and made recommendations on the financial implications for the state and a clear design on how it can be achieved,” Nnajieze said.

He said the arrangement would enable the Judiciary to determine its funding priorities and execute projects without undue interference from the Executive.

Nnajieze, however, noted that the Executive remained central to providing the resources required to make the arrangement work, stressing that Governor Peter Mbah had demonstrated strong commitment to the initiative.

He recalled that the governor had expressed his willingness to advance the cause during the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Enugu, after which the state began taking necessary steps.

Nnajieze said Governor Mbah had also sought to inaugurate the State Account and Allocation Committee (SAC), a constitutional body, adding that the current Joint Technical Committee was a further step towards the establishment of the SAC.

“This has nothing to do with the election but the governor’s commitment to make the Judiciary more effective and give greater independence to the Judiciary,” he said.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the National Vice President of Judiciary Staff Union (South East Zone), Mr Chinedu Eze, said the union’s role was to provide relevant information that would assist the committee in carrying out its assignment.

He stressed that judicial financial autonomy was a constitutional provision rather than a favour, saying its realisation would strengthen the Judiciary’s ability to discharge its statutory responsibilities.

He expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Enugu State Government, adding that the arrangement would contribute to a more efficient and independent Judiciary capable of delivering justice without undue influence.

“An independent Judiciary will provide justice for all and not justice for the mighty or the connected. It will create a saner society and you know where there is justice there is peace,” he said.