The new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye, has denied allegations that the state legislature is attempting to strip the House of Assembly and the judiciary of their financial autonomy.
Idaiye made the clarification after controversy erupted over amendments to the laws governing the financial management of the two arms of government. The issue had triggered opposition from workers, lawyers and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), who feared that the proposed changes could weaken the independence of the legislature and judiciary.
The controversy intensified after the Edo State House of Assembly considered changes to the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Law and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law. Critics initially believed the proposed legislation was designed to repeal the existing financial autonomy arrangement.
The Speaker, however, insisted that the intention was not to abolish autonomy but to change the way capital funds are managed and monitored.
According to Idaiye, recurrent expenditure would continue to go directly to the Assembly and judiciary, while the proposed changes focus specifically on capital expenditure and projects.
“The legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary,” Idaiye said, explaining that the capital component was the area being addressed because of concerns over alleged abuse.
He said the amendment was intended to ensure greater accountability in the use of money allocated for capital projects. Under the new arrangement, the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals for capital projects to the executive for approval through the appropriation process.
The Speaker also proposed the creation of a mechanism or agency that would monitor the release of funds, execution and supervision of capital projects undertaken by the legislature and judiciary.
Idaiye maintained that such monitoring would not affect the constitutional or financial autonomy of either institution. He said the objective was to ensure that funds allocated for development projects were properly utilised and that projects were actually completed.
The Speaker also assured workers that their salaries and recurrent expenditures would not be affected by the amendments.
“The autonomy is still in place; there is no fear on any side,” Idaiye said, adding that workers' salaries were not touched by the changes.
The clarification followed protests and concerns from JUSUN members, who had opposed any attempt to alter the existing financial autonomy framework. On Monday, judicial workers reportedly blocked the entrance to the Edo State House of Assembly complex, demanding that the proposed changes be abandoned.
The dispute had also attracted criticism from members of the Nigerian Bar Association in Benin, who argued that financial autonomy was crucial to the independence and effective functioning of the legislature and judiciary.
The NBA had expressed concern that any attempt to reverse the autonomy arrangement could undermine the institutions and return them to a situation where they depend heavily on the executive for funding.
Idaiye, however, maintained that the controversy was largely the result of misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding the bills. He said the Assembly was not seeking to return to the previous system in which the legislature and judiciary lacked financial independence.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has also defended the legislation, arguing that the three arms of government have separate constitutional responsibilities that should be respected.
The governor said the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, the legislature is responsible for lawmaking and oversight, while the judiciary interprets laws and handles judicial matters.
Okpebholo said he was concerned about the management of capital funds, particularly where money allocated for projects was allegedly not producing the expected results. He argued that capital projects are among the most visible ways government can improve the lives of citizens.
The governor subsequently signed the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law at the Government House in Benin City.
The signing has not completely ended the controversy, however, as concerns remain among some judicial workers and legal practitioners over the implications of requiring the legislature and judiciary to submit capital project proposals to the executive.
Supporters of the amendment say the arrangement will improve accountability and ensure that public funds are properly used for projects, while opponents fear that giving the executive a role in approving capital expenditure could undermine the practical independence of the two institutions.
For Idaiye, the key distinction is between financial autonomy and the management of capital projects. He insists that the autonomy itself remains intact and that the amendments are focused on preventing abuse and improving project monitoring.
The controversy is therefore expected to remain a major issue in Edo's political and legal circles as stakeholders examine how the newly signed laws will operate in practice.
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