Judiciary, Lawmakers Bill Scale Second Reading
The House of Representatives has passed the second reading of a bill to grant financial autonomy to state’s House of Assembly and the Judiciary.
Iduma Igariwey, representing Afikpo North/Afikpo Aouth of Ebonyi State sponsored the bill seeking to end the practice of states appropriating for the two arms from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Igariwey said the situation has adversely affected the independence of legislature and judiciary as they are often starved of funds by governors.
The lawmaker argued that though President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Executive Order 10 that grants the two arms a measure of autonomy, the Order lack constitutional backing.
Igariwey proposed an alteration of Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution to charge any amount standing in the credit of the Houses of Assembly and Judiciary directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation to be paid directly to the heads by the Accountant General of the Federation.
It was unanimously adopted and passed second reading, when Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila put the matter to voice vote.
Gbajabiamila directed that the Bill be referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review.
