Ondo judges reduced to motorbike commutes after brutal 40% budget slash

The Ondo State judiciary is facing growing pressure following sharp budget cuts and unresolved welfare concerns that critics say threaten judicial independence under Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa’s administration.

The state government has reduced the judiciary’s allocation from ₦17bn in the 2025 budget to ₦9.5bn in the 2026 budget, a cut of more than 40 percent.

Although the government has announced 80 percent financial autonomy for the judiciary, the approval applies only to recurrent expenditure, excluding capital projects such as court infrastructure and equipment, according to Sahara Reporters

Senior court officials warn that the arrangement could result in a 20 percent reduction in staff salaries in 2026, while leaving courts without funds for essential repairs.

Several court buildings across Ondo State are reportedly in disrepair, with leaking roofs and flooding during rainfall, frequently forcing the suspension of court sittings.

A senior magistrate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as “a slow erosion of the justice system,” adding that “you cannot talk about judicial independence when courts cannot function physically.”

Welfare concerns have also intensified. Magistrates and Grade A Customary Court Presidents are said to rely on commercial motorcycles for official movement, despite the governor’s reported approval of ₦400m for vehicles since 2024.

Sources within the judiciary allege that the Ministry of Finance has not released the funds.

High Court judges are also reportedly using official vehicles that are over six years old and increasingly unreliable. Multiple appeals for replacement vehicles since 2024 have allegedly gone unanswered.

Legal analysts note that the judiciary has played a critical role in resolving political disputes in the state, including election-related cases.

A constitutional lawyer based in Akure warned that “starving the judiciary of funds, whether deliberate or not, weakens democracy itself.”

As calls for urgent intervention grow, observers say the handling of the judiciary’s funding will test the government’s commitment to the rule of law in Ondo State.