File photo of Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade Sworn-in as Chief Judge in 2014.

EROMOSELE EBHOMELE

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade has sought the assistance of the state House of Assembly over financial autonomy for the Judiciary and appointment of more judges in the state.

She disclosed that Lagos State Judiciary is groaning under grossly inadequate fund allocation.

According to her, 70 percent of the institution’s budget is expended on debt servicing, leaving only 30 percent for the judiciary. She, therefore, craved for the intervention of the Assembly to rescue the state’s judiciary from underdevelopment.

Atilade, who was sworn in as the Chief Judge in August last year, made the request when she paid a visit to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, in his office within the assembly complex.

She also urged the assembly to give the judiciary the privilege of being part of the lawmaking process, noting that working together on lawmaking would be more productive.

The Speaker however promised her the readiness of the House to ensure that the judiciary in the state is fairly treated in its quest for financial autonomy, insisting that the judiciary ought to be independent, and not be reduced to an arm of the Ministry of Justice.

He also assured the Chief Judge that the House would look into the need to appoint more judges, arguing that it is the constitutional responsibility of the legislature to recommend the number of judges required by the judiciary in the state for effective delivery of judicial services.

He however stated that the executive arm of the state government has upstaged the legislature in recommendation of number of judges to the National Judicial Commission, stressing that the matter would be resolved as democracy develops in the country.

While lamenting the poor finances to the Lagos state’s judiciary, Atilade said lack of adequate funding has been a great challenge to the development of the judicial arm of government in the state, regretting that the great vision she has could not be achieved unless there is financial independence.

“I have come to seek the assistance of the Hon. Speaker and the House concerning financial autonomy for the judiciary in Lagos State and appointment of more judges.

“We are entitled to have 10 or more judges to enable us dispense justice effectively. More importantly, we need more funds to achieve great visions I have for the judiciary in the state,” the Chief Judge explained.

Ikuforiji told the delegation that “we fought for financial autonomy for this House of Assembly and I paid a big price for it. I have no regret over it; I will do it again if given another opportunity.

“The idea of making the Judiciary an appendage should be rejected. The judiciary should be independent, and not an arm of the Justice Ministry. I can assure you of the support of this House concerning your request on financial independence.”