After two weeks of the ongoing nationwide strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, for judicial autonomy, the Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, inaugurated the state Judiciary Funds Management Board, and also constitute a nine-member committee for Departmental Funds Management in Asaba
During the inauguration, the chief judge stated that the inauguration of the board and committee was under sections 3 and 8(1) & (2) of the Delta State Judiciary Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Law, 2019.
According to the chief judge, the law was enacted by the Delta House of Assembly in 2019 and was declared open by the governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on March 24, 2020.
The Delta State Judiciary Funds Management Board has the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro as chairman while Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Patience Elumeze as the vice-chairman.
Other members are Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. B. Ojeikere; Secretary, Judicial Service Commission P. I. Uzonitsha, D. G. Delta State MultiDoor Court, C. N. Onyekwe, Director of Finance and Supply, High Court Mr. A. E. Onwatogwu; Director, Finance and Administration, Customary Court of Appeal I. Egbo; Director of Litigation, High Court J. C. Mrs. Edonwonyi and Augustine Chinenye Chiejina.
The Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Barrister O. Aforkeya is to serve as the Board’s Secretary.
For the Departmental Funds Management Committee, the Chief Registrar High Court Obomejero Aforkeya and Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. B. Ojeikere is the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.
Other members are Secretary, Judicial Service Commission Barrister Paul Uzonitsha, Director of Finance and Supply High Court, A. E.Onwatogwu; Director of Personnel Management, High Court, P. I. Idollo; DFA Customary Court of Appeal, I. Egbo; DPRS Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. V. A. Aigbe, and Director, DSMDC Mrs. A. Egbuchua.
The Chairman of the Delta State Judiciary Management Board, Justice Umukoro, during the inauguration, explained to its members the objective of the law urging them to be accountable and transparent for the effective and efficient administration of funds accruing to the state judiciary as provided by Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Juice Umukoro explained that the provision grants financial autonomy to the state judiciary by providing that funds accruing to the Delta State Judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state be paid to heads of courts.
He said the function of the board, according to him, is to consider how funds of the judiciary accounts were applied for the services and administration of the Delta State Judiciary; submit quarterly reports to the Chief Judge; set, approve and amend monetary threshold for the judiciary; and approve award all contracts, procurements, and services above #10, 000, 000.00 ( Ten Million Naira ) only.
He said while section 8 (3) of the law provides that the Departmental Funds Management Committee shall perform its functions on all contracts, works, services, and procurements in the state judiciary up to the sum of #5,000,000.00 ( Five Million Naira) only.
“I hope that the members of the board and the committee will take this assignment with all sense of responsibility and ensure that funds are diligently applied for the overall good of the state judiciary.
“There is no doubt that the public, especially stakeholders in the administration of justice will be expecting a change for the better in the infrastructural facilities in the judiciary and general welfare of judicial officers and support staff.,” he admonished.
Also, the Chief Justice in his remarks cautioned that anti-corruption agencies were on the watch while charging members of the board and committee to shun every corrupt penchant or any act capable of bringing shame and dishonor to the name of the state judiciary.
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