Buhari inaugurates committee for Autonomy Of State Judiciary, Legislature

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary.

“I am delighted to welcome you all to the formal inauguration of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary,” Buhari said during the inauguration at the Statehouse Abuja on Friday.

“The setting up of this Committee is necessitated by the realization that Legislative and Judicial autonomy are necessary pre-conditions for our democracy to endure,” he added.

The 16-member committee is headed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, while the president’s National Assembly liaison, Ita Enang, is to serve as secretary.

The president stated that the committee was set up in other to uphold the country’s democracy and maintain the roles of the three arms of government.

He said his administration has identified the need to sustain a constitutionally guaranteed Federal system of government by building capabilities not only at the Federal level but at all the Federating Units.

Buhari said the committee while executing their new roles are expected to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Constitutional provisions granting autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary, without deviating from its approved Terms of Reference

The panel is also “expected to complete its deliberations and submits its report and recommendations within three (3) months from today.”

The president also urged the members of the Committee to be meticulous and diligent in the discharge of their duties and to ensure compliance with their approved terms of reference.

He said the autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary is a necessary precondition for Nigeria’s democracy to endure.