Lawyer Gives Ondo Government 7 Days To Confirm Financial Autonomy For State Assembly, Judiciary; Threatens Legal Action
In a letter addressed to the State Attorney General of Federation (AGF), Kayode Ajulo (SAN), dated March 5, 2023, Mr Femi Emmanuel Emodamori gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to grant his request or face legal action.
A lawyer, Mr Femi Emmanuel Emodamori has asked Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to confirm if financial autonomy has been granted to the State House of Assembly and the judiciary.
In a letter addressed to the State Attorney General of Federation (AGF), Kayode Ajulo (SAN), dated March 5, 2023, Mr Femi Emmanuel Emodamori gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to grant his request or face legal action.
The lawyer had earlier criticised the habitual ridicule of the constitutionally guaranteed financial autonomy and integrity of State Houses of Assembly by the state executive arm.
The lawyer said despite his earlier statements asking the state governor and his team to comply with Section 121 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by granting the state lawmakers and judiciary autonomy, nothing was done.
The letter reads: “With enormous personal delight in having a renowned public advocate of fiscal federalism and autonomy for the Judiciary and Legislature like you as the Attorney-General of Ondo State, I respectfully demand to know, pursuant to Section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, whether the Ondo State Government has complied, or is complying, with Section 121 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration Act) 2017, by paying directly to the Ondo State Judiciary and the State House of Assembly, monies standing to their credit in the State Consolidated Revenue Fund and captured in their respective budgets for this year.
“In the case of the State Judiciary, I also seek to know from the Hon. Attorney-General, in addition or in the alternative to the above, whether the Ondo State Government has complied, or is complying, with Section 2(1) of the Ondo State Judiciary Self-Accounting Law, Cap. 71, Vol. 2, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, by paying into the Ondo State Judiciary Account in advance for every quarter of the year, that is to say, in January, April, July, and October every year, monies due to the State Judiciary by way of statutory allocation for recurrent expenditure pro rata for that quarter.
“I also respectfully request that the Hon. Attorney-General should graciously supply me, within seven (7) days from the date of this letter, the certified true copies of documents evidencing compliance with the above laws guaranteeing the financial autonomy of the State Judiciary and the House of Assembly, if any.
“In the event that the Hon. Attorney-General is unable to provide satisfactory information backed by corroborative documents as requested above, or cause same to be provided by any public officer so directed, in line with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, I shall be compelled to institute an action in Court against the Attorney-General and other officials of the Ondo State Government to seek compliance with aforesaid constitutional provisions or laws guaranteeing the financial autonomy of the State Judiciary and House of Assembly, immediately after the expiration of the seven (7) day ultimatum.”
SaharaReporters reported in February that the lawyer had asked Governor Aiyedatiwa to grant financial autonomy to the State House of Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
