The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang, had on June 8 had made the revelation at a news briefing.
Welcoming this development, Mr Adeshina Ogunlana, the chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it was a step in the right direction in achieving proper separation of powers in government
“I am excited about the President’s signing of the Bill. It is in furtherance of the doctrine of separation of powers which was designed to make democracy what it is as opposed to monarchy where you have fusion of powers.
“When you have separation of powers without financial independence, it becomes a problem because whoever controls the purse, controls how you act. So far, the executive has been the controller of the purse, the Judiciary used to approach the executive for financial handouts, virtually all the Chief Judges go ‘cap in hand’ to be in good terms with their governors if they want anything for themselves or their sector of government and they are afraid of going against the bidding of the executive.
“They actually were not equal before now but the signing of the Bill will enhance and promote the independence that we have been advocating,” Ogunlana said.
Other lawyers, who spoke to NAN, said the signing of the Bill was as a result of lobbyists who had over the years pushed for financial autonomy of the judiciary and that it will strengthen financial institutions.
A constitutional lawyer and president, Voters Awareness Initiative, Mr Wale Ogunade, said: “it has been one of the issues that we have been canvassing for.
“The independence of the Judiciary, the independence of the Legislature is one of the core benefits of democracy which is the building of strong democratic institutions.
“When the Judiciary and Legislature is dependent on the Executive, they will always go to them ‘cap in hand’ and this does not augur well with democracy, making regulations and legislations very poor.
“Now, it is ensured that everyone is independent and they can do things regularly through the proper instrumentality of law and order and the rule of law” Ogunade said.
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A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Mr Giti Ogunye, said “Assenting the Bill is highly commendable and moving forward, I hope that it will help strengthen our democratic institutions in the judiciary and legislature.
“However, financial autonomy requires financial and physical responsibility before now, the executive had been the controller of the purse. The executive had been the ‘feeder of the judiciary and the legislature, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), had for a long time, been canvassing for judicial autonomy and welfare of judicial staff. This is a welcome development,” he said.
Ogunye, however, cautioned against financial recklessness and impropriety that may arise from the financial autonomy granted to the Judiciary and Legislature.
In a similar vein, Mr Abel Diah, the Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, commended Buhari for assenting to the law granting financial autonomy to state Houses of Assembly.
Diah gave the commendation in a statement in Jalingo.
The Speaker noted that the move would guarantee the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“I wish to commend the President for assenting to the Law, I believe this will lead to a dynamic and active parliamentary democracy.
“Active parliamentary democracy is the fulcrum for the attainment of dividends of democracy to the people.
“I wish also to appreciate the leadership and members of the National Assembly, State Assemblies, and in particular, Taraba House of Assembly for the role they played in seeing to the reality of the law.
“With this law, democracy is actually gaining grounds and heading toward success for a better society.
“It is my sincere hope that the three arms of government will work in harmony for the growth of democracy in the country,’’ he said.
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