Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill.
The governor signed the bills on Monday at the Government House in Benin City while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the legislation, saying he was pleased that the issue, which had generated controversy, had been resolved.
“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” the governor said.
He stressed the need for the three arms of government — the executive, legislature and judiciary — to operate within their respective constitutional mandates.
According to him, the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, the legislature makes laws and performs oversight functions, while the judiciary interprets laws and punishes offenders.
“For me, deviating from these is totally out of the field of play, changing the goal post. I saw danger in it and the way things were going,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also expressed concern over the management of funds meant for capital projects, saying such projects remained one of the most visible ways government could improve the lives of residents.
He commended the lawmakers for what he described as standing by the people and demonstrating their commitment to the development of Edo State.
Speaking earlier, Speaker Idiaye clarified that the legislation did not abolish the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary.
He explained that recurrent expenditure would continue to be allocated to the Assembly and judiciary, while the amendment specifically addressed the management of capital funds.
“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” the speaker said.
Idiaye said the amendment was intended to prevent further abuse of capital funds by allowing the executive to manage the capital component through the appropriation process.
He explained that the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals for capital projects to the executive for approval before accessing the funds.
“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” Idiaye said.
He further assured workers that their salaries would not be affected by the amendment, saying, “the autonomy is still in order and the workers’ salaries are not touched.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, August 24, 2026.
