The Edo State House of Assembly has amended the financial autonomy laws earlier granted to the House and the judiciary by the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
DAILY POST reports that the lawmakers amended the two laws on Monday, August 24, 2026, despite protests by civil society organisations, the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Benin Branch, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
Recall that the lawmakers had, on August 19, 2026, listed two bills on the Order Paper for plenary: “A Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023” and “A Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Law, 2023.”
The development triggered a protest by staff of the Assembly, who demanded an explanation from the Speaker.
PASAN, which said its members fought hard before the Obaseki administration granted them financial autonomy, described the proposed move as unjust.
However, during plenary, the newly elected Speaker of the House, Yekini Idaiye, told the protesting workers that the House was not repealing the laws but seeking to amend them.
Idaiye explained that the proposed amendment affected capital expenditure and did not tamper with current expenditure.
During consideration of the bills at the Committee of the Whole, the lawmakers supported the proposed amendments, saying they affected relevant clauses in the financial autonomy laws.
The lawmakers said the amendments were intended to strengthen checks and balances, arguing that there were no adequate institutions to monitor financial transactions, particularly the disbursement of funds for capital projects in the second and third arms of government.
They maintained that the amendments did not completely remove the autonomy of the legislature and judiciary but were designed to ensure due process in the execution of major projects.
The House passed two bills aimed at strengthening financial autonomy, accountability and institutional independence in the state.
The motion for the consideration of the amendment to the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Law was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Osezua Ojezele, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Osawonyi Atu, representing Orhionmwon I Constituency.
Ojezele said the amendment was aimed at strengthening institutions and government agencies, curbing corruption and fraud, and safeguarding institutional autonomy.
Similarly, the motion for the amendment of the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023, was moved by Ojezele and seconded by Addeh Emankhu Isibor, representing Esan North-East I Constituency.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to transmit clean copies of the amended bills to the governor for assent.
