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JUSUN members vow to continue strike, block Osun Deputy Governor’s convoy

*Leadership the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria insist the state governors in Nigeria must begin to demonstrate some level of seriousness by putting in place some measures precedent to the implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In view of the ongoing national strike by the judicial workers’ union to ‘demand justice’, the national officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have vowed that its ongoing action would not be called off until state governors meet their demands.

It was gathered the union stated thus at a meeting with Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The meeting held at the CJN’s chambers in Supreme Court was to give him feedback on his request for the strike to be suspended, with Hadjia Hadiza Uwani Mustapha, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, also in attendance at the meeting, according to report.

The CJN had, at an earlier meeting with JUSUN leaders April 6, asked JUSUN to suspend the strike, in respect of its adverse effects on the justice system in the country.

JUSUN members protesting over financial autonomy along Gbongan─Osogbo Road in Osun State  Photo: Blueprint.Ng

However, at the latest meeting, JUSUN officials, led by its Deputy National President, Emmanuel Abioye and Jimoh Musa Alonge, union Treasurer, explained why it is difficult to heed the CJN’s call to end the strike.

It was gathered Abiyoye told the CJN that the state governors must begin to demonstrate some level of seriousness by putting in place some measures precedent to the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary in their respective states.

The JUSUN Deputy National President further said: “Though there’s financial autonomy for the judiciary already in some states while some are assuring that they would comply others have to take steps in readiness for compliance.”

According to him, the union expects each state to start implementing its self-accounting law to deal with the Internally Generated Revenue in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); and that states without such law should put it in place.

Abioye said it is his union’s position that there must be some level of seriousness from all quarters and as such, the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary from the monthly federal allocation should be deducted directly from the source by the Accountant General of the Federation and remit same to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for onward transmission to heads of courts.

HE added: “The AGF should deduct from the monthly Federal Allocation and remit it to NJC for onward transmission of the fund to the Heads of Courts at the State Judiciary. Until this is done, there is no going back, the strike would go on.’’

The CJN in his response said: “I can’t fault your reasons for embarking on this protest because the union wants its rights restored in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

“I commend you for following due process so far to protest against the injustice.”

JUSUN, NBA members protest, block Osun Deputy Governor’s convoy  

In a related development, some members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) protested in Osogbo, Osun State capital, Thursday, April 22, demanding the full implementation of financial autonomy of the Judiciary.

Report said the protesters converged on the State High Court, Oke-Fia, and marched to the Customary Court through the Federal High Court opposite the Osun State House of Assembly at Gbongan─Osogbo Road.

Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi’s convoy was said to have run into the protesters when they were marching to the Osun Government Secretariat, and the protesting consequently blocked the convoy.

The striking workers prevented Alabi and his convoy of vehicles from passing as they displayed placards with different inscriptions.

ConsumerConnect had reported that the judicial workers have been on strike for nearly a month, demanding financial autonomy of the Judiciary in the country.

But following the declaration of strike strike by the national leadership of JUSUN, court activities have been grounded across Nigeria.

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