Bayelsa State Govternment Gets Judiciary Autonomy

Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson,  on Wednesday signed the State Judiciary Autonomy Bill into law, granting financial independence to the third tier of government.

Assenting to the bill at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital, Dickson said the law underscored the importance his administration attached to efficient
judiciary.He observed that  though the Nigerian Constitution made a provision for judicial autonomy; it failed to stipulate the framework for exercising the autonomy.

“Having had the privilege of being a member of the bar as well as Attorney-General of the state and now Governor, I am in a better position to provide the requirements of the Judiciary towards improving the delivery of justice in the state,” he said.

The governor said his administration gave a legal backing to the definition of judicial autonomy to make it impossible for subsequent administration to overrule it.

Dickson  expressed confidence that with the law the third arm of government would manage its affairs better, especially in financial matters.

“With effect from the life of the next budget, I or any other governor that will come after me will not have to treat approvals and requests from the Judiciary anymore”, he said.

He called on other governors to support the move for a truly independent judicial arm of government, noting that the judiciary should not be neglected because of its crucial roles in developing democracy.

“Our democracy is not safe and it cannot be secured. Our civil rights cannot be protected unless we strengthen our Judiciary which alone has the constitutional authority to deepen our freedoms and protect our fundamental liberties,” he said.

He said befitting accommodation and official vehicles would be provided for judges and magistrates in the state, to assist them in discharging their duties.