Okpebholo Signs Assembly Funds Management, Judiciary Autonomy Bills Into Law
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law.
The governor signed the legislation on Monday at the Government House in Benin City while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the bills, saying their enactment had resolved what he described as a controversial issue.
“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” the governor said.
He stressed the need for the three arms of government—the executive, legislature and judiciary—to operate within their respective constitutional responsibilities.
According to him, the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, the legislature makes laws and performs oversight functions, while the judiciary interprets laws and administers justice.
“For me, deviating from these is totally out of the field of play, changing the goal post. I saw danger in it and the way things were going,” Okpebholo said.
The governor expressed concern over the handling of funds earmarked for capital projects, saying such funds should be used to deliver projects that directly improve the lives of Edo residents.
He commended the lawmakers for what he described as standing with the people of the state and demonstrating commitment to Edo’s development.
Speaking earlier, the Assembly Speaker, Idiaye, clarified that the new legislation did not abolish the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary.
He explained that recurrent expenditure would continue to be available to both institutions, while the amendment specifically addressed the management of capital funds.
“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” Idiaye said.
According to him, the amendment was designed to prevent further abuse of capital funds by allowing the executive to handle the capital component through the appropriation process.
He said the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals to the executive for approval before accessing funds for capital projects.
Idiaye assured workers and relevant unions that the autonomy of the legislature and judiciary remained intact and that salaries would not be affected by the amendment.
“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.
He added that the workers’ salaries were “not touched” by the new law.
The governor signed the legislation on Monday at the Government House in Benin City while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the bills, saying their enactment had resolved what he described as a controversial issue.
“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” the governor said.
He stressed the need for the three arms of government—the executive, legislature and judiciary—to operate within their respective constitutional responsibilities.
According to him, the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, the legislature makes laws and performs oversight functions, while the judiciary interprets laws and administers justice.
“For me, deviating from these is totally out of the field of play, changing the goal post. I saw danger in it and the way things were going,” Okpebholo said.
The governor expressed concern over the handling of funds earmarked for capital projects, saying such funds should be used to deliver projects that directly improve the lives of Edo residents.
He commended the lawmakers for what he described as standing with the people of the state and demonstrating commitment to Edo’s development.
Speaking earlier, the Assembly Speaker, Idiaye, clarified that the new legislation did not abolish the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary.
He explained that recurrent expenditure would continue to be available to both institutions, while the amendment specifically addressed the management of capital funds.
“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” Idiaye said.
According to him, the amendment was designed to prevent further abuse of capital funds by allowing the executive to handle the capital component through the appropriation process.
He said the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals to the executive for approval before accessing funds for capital projects.
Idiaye assured workers and relevant unions that the autonomy of the legislature and judiciary remained intact and that salaries would not be affected by the amendment.
“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.
He added that the workers’ salaries were “not touched” by the new law.
