NLC Backs Judiciary Workers’ Strike

NLC Backs Judiciary Workers’ Strike

This was the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) which it added, is an outcome of government’s disregard for a judicial pronouncement by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Noting that an independent judiciary remains a crucial part of the nation’s democracy, the labour organ said its direct funding is a constitutional right which  has been further strengthened by a judicial pronouncement.

    The NLC, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Esan, also blamed the office of the Accountant- General of the Federation (AGF), state governments and other appropriate government agencies for the broken chain of promises which culminated in the strike action by the union.

    The NLC recalled that about a year ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja had  entered a  judgment in favour of the union directing the AGF to deduct judicial funds and pay it directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC), a move intended to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, thus strengthening the democratic process.

    “Since the judgment, as many as seven Memoranda of Understanding with government  (arising from countless meetings)  have  been signed. In spite of serial breaches by government and its agencies, JUSUN had continually displayed  remarkable  understanding and uncommon maturity,” the NLC said.

    It called on the Attorney-General  of the Federation  and  all the Attorneys-General of  the states to  respect the judgment, and ensure an end to the strike.

    “It is saddening that these law officers are seen to be breaking the law in such a brazen manner and at a time like this. Financial autonomy for the judiciary is non-negotiable,” the statement added.

  However, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), on Wednesday urged judiciary workers in the country to call off their ongoing strike, and pursue amicable resolution.

    The president alongside the Chairmen of the Lagos, Ikeja and Ikorodu branches of the NBA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the strike had caused untold hardship on lawyers, adding that same should be resolved.

    The judiciary workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), had embarked on a nationwide strike action on January 2.

JUSUN is seeking the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which granted financial autonomy to the judiciary, restraining executive interferences with judicial funds.

    Alegeh said although JUSUN had a good cause since there was a valid court’s judgment in its favour, the effect of the strike action on the masses was however, enormous.

   Alegeh also urged the union to employ other workable means of getting the court judgment complied with and implemented.

    The Chairman of the Lagos branch of NBA, Mr. Alex Muoka, described the development as painful, adding that the strike action had affected the activities of lawyers in the country.

“We support the demands that JUSUN is making, so, it is now for the government to abide by the decision of the court on financial autonomy for the judiciary.

   Muoka therefore, appealed to the government, to implement the Court judgment on financial autonomy for the judiciary, in the interest of justice.

    Also speaking, the Ikeja branch Chairman of the NBA, Mr. Yinka

Farounbi, described the strike as unfortunate.

    He stressed that since there had been no formal appeal against the judgment of the court, the natural consequence should be simply for the executive arm to abide by it.

  In the same vein, the Ikorodu branch Chairman of the NBA, Mr. Dotun Adetunji, called on government to accede to the demands of the union.

   “Since this is a Court judgment arising from a constitutional issue, which has not been appealed, it is necessary for the executive to abide by the decision.”

Source: This Day Live