National Assembly has assured the judiciary of adequate support, especially in the area of improved budget to enable it discharge its mandate.
The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan gave the assurance on Monday at a capacity building workshop for judges and justices, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja.
Specifically, Lawan promised that the National Assembly would ensure improvement in the budget of the third arm of government in the years ahead.
“I want to make this promise here that we are going to make your budget better than 2022 and probably better than at any other time in 2023.
“One thing is clear, if we are talking about the judiciary dynamism, the judiciary must have the resources to be that independent and efficient and effective.
“Without resources, no matter how hard we try, we cannot be at the best that we want to be. So it’s about getting more resources and using them judiciously and I’m sure that that is not the problem. The problem is, let’s have the resources and I’m giving you that promise.
“We are determined in the National Assembly, even though we have only one year to go, to give you any possible support to ensure that you have the wherewithal to discharge your mandate,” Lawan told the judges and justices at the gathering.
He went further: “What we need is a collaboration that will make the judicial arm of government to stand on it’s feet. The resources so far given to this arm of government cannot be said to be sufficient but I believe that we can do better.
“I want a situation where in 2023, even before then, if the opportunity arises, that we make resources available to judicial arm of government especially those courts that need the kind of support for them to prosecute those offenders who have taking our money.”
Lawan said the National Assembly, had been at the forefront in the fight against corruption in the country.
“This is because the laws have to be made before they are implemented or actualised by our anti-corruption agencies.
“So we are fully and completely involved in the fight against corruption in our country.
“And the ninth National Assembly particularly distinguishes itself by being anti-corruption.
“Recently, we passed two very important bills and I’m happy that Mr President signed them into law – The Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act and the Proceeds of Crimes, Prevention and Prohibition Act.
“I’m taking the opportunity here to charge the Attorney General of the Federation that, let make 2023 appropriation, a year for the judiciary in Nigeria to always remember,” the Senate President stressed.
