The Kogi State Fiscal Responsibility Commission recently paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Muizudeen Yinus Abdullahi, to appreciate the Ministry’s support and strengthen collaboration between the two organizations over the amendment of the State’s Fiscal Responsibility Law.
Leading the delegation, Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Jimoh Muhammed, expressed profound appreciation to the Attorney General for his consistent legal support to the Commission since its assumption of office.
He acknowledged the Ministry’s role in deploying a legal officer to the Commission as the Head of the Legal and Enforcement Department, as well as the Solicitor General, who is also a Member of the Board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. He appreciated the contributions of the current Head of Service, Hajiya Falilat Musa Esqr. When she was Solicitor General and Perm. Sec. representing the Ministry on the Board of the Commission.
The Chairman noted that upon assuming duty, the Commission inherited significant challenges, among them an obsolete Fiscal Responsibility Law enacted in 2012, which no longer reflects the current realities in public finance management, procurement reforms, and evolving financial sector policies.
According to him, the existing law specifies infringements but does not prescribe penalties, thereby limiting the Commission’s enforcement capacity and weakening compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the State.
He also explained that the ongoing review of the law aims to introduce clear sanctions for violations, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and ensure that fiscal discipline is no longer taken for granted by public officers. He emphasized that without penalties, accountability becomes difficult to enforce, noting that the Commission must be empowered to recommend appropriate sanctions through proper legal channels and provided with necessary logistics and improved funding to carry out its statutory functions.
Mallam Muhammed also raised concerns regarding borrowing procedures, particularly at the Local Government level. He stressed that while Local Governments are creatures of the State laws, loan approvals must follow due legislative processes. He observed that the best practice requires legislative authorization by the State House of Assembly, with the Commission issuing compliance certification to ensure adherence to fiscal requirements before such loans are approved.
He urged the timely passage of the Bill into Law to prevent abuse and safeguard fiscal stability.
The Chairman emphasized that the bill also proposed opening a Stabilization Account in a reputable commercial bank by the State government where excess funds from IGR, allocations from federation accounts, and other sources could be saved for rainy days to reduce overreliance on borrowing at exorbitant lending rates. According to the Chairman, such funds can be appropriated to finance budgets, human capital, and infrastructural developments without overstretching the State’s financial capacity.
On oversight responsibilities, he explained that the Commission has the mandate to supervise the preparation and implementation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), annual budgets, monitoring and evaluation, revenue generation, and due process compliance across the State and Local Government institutions. He appealed for adequate funding and support to enable the Commission effectively discharge its responsibilities across all 21 Local Government Areas, proposing that a modest percentage of Local Government IGR be allocated to augment the State for proper funding of the Commission’s activities.
Concluding, the Chairman informed the Attorney General that the draft bill was currently in the Ministry of Justice and appealed for speedy action to transmit it to the appropriate Authorities for quick passage into law. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continuous consultations with the Ministry of Justice to ensure a robust and effective legal framework.
In his response, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Muizudeen Yinus Abdullahi, welcomed the delegation and commended the Commission for its proactive engagements in strengthening the fiscal governance in the State.
He emphasized that mutual collaboration among Ministries and MDAs is essential to protect government interests and ensure that the machinery of governance functions effectively. He reaffirmed that the Ministry of Justice remains committed to providing legal advice, drafting, vetting, and representation services to all MDAs in Kogi State.
The Attorney General confirmed that the reviewed Fiscal Responsibility Bill was currently undergoing final vetting in his office and assured the delegation that it would, by God’s grace, be given accelerated attention and quick passage into law. He further assured that the Ministry would provide necessary representation at any hearing to justify and defend the provisions of the bill.
He charged the Commission to remain firm in its oversight mandate, urging it not to relent in ensuring that MDAs comply with fiscal responsibility standards. Stressing that governance requires accountability at every level. He noted that responsibility must flow from leadership to the lowest cadre of the civil service, and that sanctions where necessary should be recommended through appropriate channels.
The Attorney General reiterated his vision of positioning Kogi State among the leading states in fiscal discipline and administrative efficiency, encouraging synergy within the Commission and across MDAs to achieve that goal.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the Commission, Prince Emmanuel Ayo, Esq., FCAI, expressed appreciation to the Attorney General for the warm reception, commitment, and candid charge to the Commission. He assured that the Commission would live up to expectations and ensure that fiscal discipline is enforced in the State. He also offered prayers for sustainable peace, wisdom, and strength for the State Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the leadership of Kogi State.
Other members of the delegation include Mallam Yakubu Shaibu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Bello Joseph, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mallam Musa Abubakar, Director of Policy and Standards, and Princess Funsho Sumanu, Head of Communication and Strategy
The visit reinforces ongoing institutional collaboration between the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Ministry of Justice in advancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable public finance management in Kogi State.
Princess Funsho Sumanu
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning
