By Shakirudeen Bankole
Federal lawmakers and legal luminaries in the country, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SANs), appear to be speaking in unison, as they are demanding for an additional funding of the judiciary in the 2021 Appropriation Budget.
At the Budget Defense on Monday, the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, said the annual budgetary allocation of N110 billion to the federal judiciary was grossly inadequate in the dispensation of justice for the populace.
According to it, allocation of more funding to the third arm of Government has become imperative, especially in the light of the necessity for the integration of technology in the administration of justice in the country.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Onofioke Luke, speaking at a session with the National Judicial Council, (NJC) the Supreme Court and other lower courts in the country, said the issued can not the overemphasized.
He submitted that consideration to the observation would help in no small measure to assist in the implementation of electronic filing of court processes and automation of the courts proceedings.
According to Luke: “It is worrisome to note that the 2021 Budget Estimates for the Judiciary in the sum of One Hundred and Ten Billion Naira (N110,000,000,000.000) only, which represents Statutory Transfer to the Judiciary, is inadequate in view of current realities.
“The Committee will engage the Leadership of the House, and indeed the National Assembly for more funds for the Judiciary to address the observed and obvious challenges of the judiciary for expedited and efficient dispensation of justice in the country,” he added.
Speaking with The New Diplomat, Bartister Toreta Ajayi, said “adequate funding for the Judiciary will assist in the dispensary of justice and fast track court trials.”
