‘Only Nasarawa, Bayelsa have independent judiciary’

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday emphasised the need for independence of the judiciary, saying only a virile, fearless and independent one could guarantee a lasting democratic government.

Chairman, Ilorin branch of the association, Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara, while briefing newsmen, said only Nasarrawa and Bayelsa States have independent judiciary.

He therefore charged government of other states of the federation to emulate Nasarrawa and Bayelsa by giving the judiciary financial autonomy and the required independence to function effectively.

Ojibara said it was not proper for one arm of government to go “cap-in-hand to survive as is the case with the state judiciary. Survival of the state judiciary should not be dependent on its relationship with another arm of government, which is the executive”.

He charged the Kwara State government to look into the issue of funding of the judiciary and make it self-accounting.

“While the bar extols with great admiration the cordial relationship among various arms of government in the state, and particularly the continued support the governor has offered the judiciary, we urge him to take a bold step by securing the independence of the state judiciary by granting it financial autonomy”, he added.