The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to release to the National Judicial Council all outstanding funds approved for the judiciary in the appropriation act 2016.
This came through a motion of urgent matter of public importance moved by Rep. Aminu Shagari, (APC-Sokoto).
Moving the motion, Shagari noted that the total sum of 70billion was approved for the judiciary in the appropriation act of 2016.
He further noted that by virtue of section 81(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, it is on the consolidated revenue fund of the federation.
“For that reason,the release of this sum to the National Judicial Council should be given priority, subject to the provisions of the constitution, over the above any other public expenditures”.
“Concern that contrary to this clear intendment of the drafters of our constitution, the Federal Executive picks and selects when to and how much to release to the National Judicial Council", Shagari said.
Also worried that the failure or refusal of the federal executive to release the budgetary allocation to the judiciary as at when due is an infraction of section 81 (3) of the constitution which if persists may lead to the grounding of the entire judiciary.
He said that any threat to the proper functioning of the judiciary is equally a threat to national peace and security.
In his contribution, rep. Raphael Igbokwe (PDP, IMO STATE) said the house should also use the opportunity to call on state governors to pay the backlog of workers' salaries in their various states.
However, the house adopted the motion and mandated its committee on Federal Judiciary and Finance to liaise with he relevant agencies to ensure compliance.
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