The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, has recommended an additional funding for the judiciary in next year’s budget.

The Federal Government had earlier allocated the sum of N120 billion for the Judiciary, but the committee is seeking an additional N10 billion to bring the total allocation to N130 billion.

Chairman of the Committee, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele ( APC/Ekiti Central ) made the request while presenting the report of his committee before the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Thursday at the National Assembly.

Bamidele maintained that the initial budget estimate was inadequate, considering the enormous responsibilities of the judiciary. He said that apart from the challenge thrown up by terrorism, there is the need to deploy technology in the dispensation of justice.

“As we speak, there are people awaiting trial as a result of insecurity. You can call them gunmen, bandits, terrorists or whatever you call them, the truth is, there is so much additional burden on the judiciary. Of course, there must be fair hearing for suspects apprehended and it is additional responsibility for the judiciary. So, they need more money.

“The COVID had also made it imperative to deploy technology for virtual hearing. All of these demand money; we are taking of all levels of court from Magistrate Court to the Supreme Court, aside the Special Court like Arbitration.

“So, both Committees in both chambers are asking for more money for the judiciary,” he said.

Bamidele dismissed insinuations about the secrecy surrounding the budget of the judiciary, describing it as a non issue. According to him, it is not the responsibility of the committee to monitor the expenditure of the judiciary. He however emphasised that whatever is allocated to the National Judicial Commission must be judiciously used.

(New Telegraph)

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