In a bid to strengthen access to justice dispensation for the people, Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the State Magistrate Court (Amendment) Law, 2023.
The passage of the Bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions by its Chairman, Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, who also moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Adegoke Adeyanju, during a Plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The Bill was later read and adopted clause-by-clause before the Committee of the Whole House, after which the motion for the third reading of the Bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif, seconded by Adeniran Ademola and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.
The Deputy Clerk of the House, Barr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adeyemi, took the third reading of the Bill and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide directed that clean copies of the Bill be transmitted to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for assent.
In another development, the Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2024, scaled second reading on the floor of the House with members submitting that the amendment aimed at creating a full-fledged Department of Audit Investigation and Control from the existing Department of Finance and Accounts in the Local Government Administration, towards ensuring transparency, accountability and effective service delivery at the third tier of government.
Members in favour of the Bill included, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dickson Awolaja, Hons. Oluseun Adesanya, Folawewo Salami and Yusuf Sherif, who stated that the amendment would ensure improved value for scarce resources of government, ensure career progression of the Local Government staff, a strong check and balance for Local Government Councils’ accounting system.
In his remarks, the Speaker said the Bill when operational, would enhance the principles of separation of power and engender a more responsible and vibrant financial administration at the local government level.
The Speaker thereafter committed the Bill to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative action.
