Kogi Judiciary Workers Kick against ‘Table’ Payment

Following the accumulation of unpaid salaries of judiciary
workers in Kogi State, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
(JUSUN), has described the table payment being implemented by the
state government as a fraud.

Chairman of the state’s branch of JUSUN, Emmanuel Waniko, in a
statement issued yesterday said the state government’s decision to
embark on table payment of part of the arrears of salaries owed the
workers was not acceptable.

He stated that the union would maintain its stand on compliance
with the constitutional provisions that prescribe financial
independence for state judiciaries.

Waniko also argued that the government’s refusal to implement an
upward review and timely remittance of the age-long monthly
subvention due to the state judiciary could worsen the looming
crisis between the union and the three courts in the state.

According to him, the combined management of the state’s High
Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal was
reportedly requested by the union to explain the modalities and
time of payment of the five months’ outstanding salaries owed staff
of the judiciary.

The union said it frowned at the attempt by the executive to
muscle the state’s third arm of government against the
constitutional provisions that guarantees the financial
independence of the judiciary.

According to the union, the development contravenes the recent
legislative amendment to the constitution assented to by President
Muhammadu Buhari, which strengthens the financial autonomy of state
judiciaries and legislatures.

Waniko further disclosed that JUSUN was bent on taking legal and
other constitutionally acceptable measures to ensure that the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not in any way
subverted.

He noted that JUSUN would not relent as the struggle borders on
the welfare of staff, which includes salaries and the provision of
conducive working environment.

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