The NASS joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously rejected the judiciary budget on Wednesday.
It also gave the Minister of National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, 24 hours to come before it over inadequate budgetary allocations to the Nigerian judiciary, which they say jeopardises their independence and ability to work efficiently.
In the 2024 budget, the Judiciary has been given N5.3 billion for capital expenditure and N8.8 billion for recurrent spending.
This is according to Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who came before the Senate Committee on Judiciary a few days ago to seek additional funds.
The minister urged the committee to support the Ministry, as it was fundamental in driving the current administration’s roadmap for the justice sector.