Breaking: EDHA Repeals Judiciary, Assembly Autonomy…Okpebholo Signs New Bills into Law

By Marian Alekhue

BENIN CITY, Edo State — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assented to two bills seeking to regulate the management of funds allocated to the Edo State House of Assembly and the judiciary.

The Governor signed the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law on Monday at the Government House, Benin City.

The bills were presented to him by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the legislation, saying the development would help address concerns surrounding the management of funds allocated to the legislative and judicial arms of government.

He stressed the need for the three arms of government to operate within their constitutional responsibilities, noting that the executive is responsible for administration and policy implementation, the legislature for lawmaking and oversight, while the judiciary interprets laws and administers justice.

According to him, respecting these constitutional boundaries is critical to preventing institutional interference and promoting effective governance.

The Governor also expressed concern over the handling of funds allocated for capital projects, describing such projects as a major avenue through which government delivers visible infrastructure and improves the living conditions of citizens.

He praised the lawmakers for what he described as their commitment to the interests of Edo people and responsible governance.

Earlier, Idiaye clarified that the new legislation did not abolish the financial autonomy of either the House of Assembly or the judiciary.

He explained that recurrent expenditure, including salaries and other running costs, would continue to be provided for the two institutions, stressing that the amendment was specifically targeted at the management of capital funds.

According to the Speaker, the capital component had previously been susceptible to abuse, necessitating the introduction of a framework designed to improve accountability and transparency.

Under the new arrangement, the executive will manage the capital component through the appropriation process, while the Assembly and judiciary will submit proposals for capital projects to the executive for consideration and approval before accessing the funds.

Idiaye maintained that the arrangement did not undermine the financial autonomy of the legislature or judiciary.

“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.

The Speaker further assured workers that their salaries and other recurrent expenditures would not be affected by the amendment, reiterating that the legislation was limited to the management of capital funds.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the assent to the bills reflected the Okpebholo administration’s commitment to strengthening financial accountability, promoting responsible governance and ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purposes.

He added that the development represented another step in the administration’s efforts to improve public financial management and ensure that government spending translates into meaningful development and tangible benefits for Edo residents.