Benue gives financial autonomy to judiciary, legislature

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has assented to two laws that give financial autonomy to the judiciary and legislature in the state.

The state government by the new laws would establish a State Account Allocation Committee to allocate funds independently to the three arms of government.

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The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Michael Gusa, told journalists in Makurdi yesterday that one of the laws would provide for management of funds accruing to the judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Funds while the other would ensure management of funds accruing to the Benue State House of Assembly.

He said the committee would be saddled with the responsibility of disbursing the funds accruing to the state on a monthly basis in a manner agreeable to the three arms of government.

“For the judiciary, it will be given to the heads of courts, to the assembly – the finance committee and then, the Executive arm will take its own share.

“The aim is to strengthen democracy and separation of power. It is meant to strengthen the smooth relationship among the executive, legislature and judiciary as well as avoid any interference in the operation of the other arms of government. In a way, it is to give autonomy to all the arms of government.

 “We are in the process of gazetting the laws to make them available to the public,” he said.