[UPDATED] Judicial Autonomy: JUSUN Suspends Strike

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The courts across the states of the federation will be re-opened
with immediate effect and all judicial activities begin as the
Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) announced the suspension
of its three-month-old national strike Wednesday evening.

The decision was taken by the National Executive Council, NEC,
of the Union at its emergency meeting on Wednesday, June 9,
2021.

The suspension shall take effect from Monday 14th June, 2021 and
all Judiciary workers are expected to resume office that day.

The suspension of the strike, which has paralyzed court
activities nationwide since Tuesday, April 6, was announced after
the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union,
held in Abuja.

However, in suspending the strike, the union called on the
National Judicial Council (NJC), the Presidential Implementation
Committee, Attorney General of the Federation, Accountant-General
of the Federation and all stakeholders to see that the issue of
Judiciary Financial Autonomy is finally laid to rest as provided
for in Section 81 (3), 121 (3), and 162(9), of 1999 Constitution as
amended.

JUSUN pointed out expressly that it suspended the strike due to
the intervention of NJC, other stakeholders and in consideration of
many issues.

“NEC-in-session discussed extensively and after putting so many
issues into consideration i.e. the intervention of NJC and other
stakeholders, the NEC has resolved that the strike is hereby
suspended.” A communique issued at the end of JUSUN NEC meeting
said.

The communique signed by the Deputy President, Comrade Emmanuel
Abioye and the General Secretary, Comrade Isaiah Adetola commended
the Chief Justice of the Federation and all heads of Courts for
their patience and understanding throughout the period of the
industrial action.

It also commended the effort of the NJC in making sure that the
governors obey the Memorandum of Action (MoA), Judgment and
agreement on the Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary.

It said: “NEC-in-session commends the NWC/NEC and all JUSUN
members for all their sacrifice, understanding and patience.”

The NEC-in-session condemned the actions of the governors of
Kaduna, Plateau and Benue States for withholding salaries of
Judiciary in their various states for months and urge all governors
involved to do the needful.

The communique read: “NEC-in-session agreed that there shall be
the introduction of peculiar allowance throughout the State and
Federal Courts.

“NEC-in-session frowns at the deduction of salary of JUSUN
members of Bayelsa State and request that the deducted sum be
restored forthwith.

“NEC- in- session unanimously reiterates that no member of JUSUN
should be victimized on strike action.”

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had, at a meeting with JUSUN
leaders on Tuesday, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
Justice Ibrahim Muhammad in attendance, urged the striking court
workers to put an end to the industrial action in the interest of
the country and the suffering court users.

Recall that JUSUN had embarked on an indefinite strike which led
to the closure of Courts since April 6, 2021.

JUSUN is demanding amongst other things, financial autonomy for
the judiciary in the light of Sections 81 and 121(3) of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and decisions of
Federal High Courts to the effect that all funds due to the
judiciary from the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be paid directly
to the Heads of the Courts concerned.

A subsequent Executive Order was issued by His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari “Implementation of financial Autonomy of
States Legislature and State Judiciary” on 20th May 2020, yet some
State Governors have failed to implement this fundamental provision
of the Law.