Judicial autonomy: Lawyers hail judgment, pledge free representation

Justice Adeniyi Ademola on Monday ruled that the piecemeal disbursement of funds accruing to the judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund is contrary to the provisions of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution. In a statement last week, President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) said the order vindicated the position of […]

Justice Adeniyi Ademola on Monday ruled that the piecemeal disbursement of funds accruing to the judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund is contrary to the provisions of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement last week, President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) said the order vindicated the position of the Bar that the non-disbursement of funds directly to the judiciary is unconstitutional and a threat to judicial independence.
NBA therefore enjoins all concerned to comply with the court order in line with sections 83(1); 212(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 constitution.
Also speaking, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and private legal practitioner, Sebastian Hon, has commended the Nigerian Judiciary for its judgment which secured financial independence for the Judiciary.
The lawyer specifically commended Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who delivered the judgment, for stating the law as it is without fear or favour. He called on the federal government and its agencies concerned with the implementation of the judgment particularly, the Attorneys-General of the Federation and those of the states, the finance minister and all state finance commissioners, the Accountant-General of the Federation and his state counterparts, etc, to immediately comply with this judgment.
According to Hon, “the quest of financial independence of the Nigerian judiciary is long overdue, and even though successive governments are always well aware of the fact that our existing constitutions have always guaranteed this, they have always turned a blind eye to it.”
He also commended the Judiciary Staff Association of Nigeria (JUSUN) for their courage and tenacity in pursuing this matter to judgment.