From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Majebi has stressed the need for conscious progressive relationship amongst the three arms of government, particularly the legislature and judiciary for the sustenance of good governance.The Chief Judge noted that it was beneficial for the legislative and judicial arms of government to work hand-in-hand for effective administration of justice in the state and promotion of good governance.

Justice Majebi made the call while receiving the state’s House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Justice and Legal Matters in his office. The committee was led by its Chairman, Halidu Adejoh, who had his other members with him except the Vice Chairman, the Speaker of the House, who were unavoidably absent.Adejoh in his opening remarks, recalled that the judiciary had enjoyed the committee’s collaboration over the years with impactful effect on justice administration in the state, noting that previous committee members didn’t fail in delivering through oversights and enactment of laws that have benefited the state.According to Halidu Adejoh, “The collaborative relationship between the Judiciary and the House of Assembly, particularly the Committee on Judiciary, has grown from strength to strength.“Both the committee and, by extension, the State House of Assembly have consistently upheld the status of the High Court and have, therefore, accordedHigh Court, by implication the Judiciary, the respect it deserves as a fundamental arm of government.”While thanking the committee for the visit and raising the Judiciary’s hope for better days ahead, the CJ said it’s on record that the two arms had always been in harmony and assured that the Judiciary will always respect and honour the integrity of the legislative.He added that the visit was indicative of legislative interest in building an enviable judiciary for the state which would be adequately complemented by the judges in the judiciary whose integrities are not in doubt.According to the CJ, “We have honest, dedicated and trusted judges whose integrities are not in doubt in the whole country. They have been at various Election Petitions Tribunals and I am pleased to inform you that none of us has been found wanting.“So, as you move to have an enviable judiciary in the state, we will not fail the state. As the National Judicial Council is there watching the credibility of judges nationwide, we will not fail our arms of government that are interested in producing an enviable judiciary.”The CJ however, called for an urgent attention to the judiciary’s annual budgetary allocation stating that after payment of salary, the institution lacks the capacity to embark on pressing needs despite the huge responsibilities at its behest.Though confident of Governor Ahmed Ododo’s promises for the Judiciary, he said the state legislatures could also be supportive with the budgetary process.“One problem we have is that there has been no improvement in our yearly budgetary allocation. What is left after payment of salary can’t take care of most of our needs,” he added.