Abuja lawyers divided over JUSUN strike

As the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) enters its 11th day, some Lawyers in Abuja have expressed different views on the action.

While some decried the action, saying it would further delay the quick dispensation of cases, others hailed the strike.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the action was infringing on the fundamental human rights of prison inmates.

One of the lawyers, Mr. Alex Etim, told NAN that the ongoing strike had also made it impossible for accused persons to be granted bail.

“It is unfortunate that some of these inmates have been standing criminal trial for five to six years. This strike will further delay the quick disposal of their case.

“You know the maxim: justice delayed is justice denied.

“Some of us are given dates for judgment. It is not just funny, especially when one does know when this strike will end.

“I pray that the government will listen to their demands and give them what they are asking for if that will bring reforms into the judiciary system,” Etim said.

Also, Ms Aishatu Jiba, another lawyer, decried JUSUN’s action, saying “in such instance, it is the inmates that suffer because of the strike their cases are further delayed in courts.

“For example, some of my clients are being unfairly held in police detention because they have not been arraigned before a court due to the strike,’’ Jiba said.

Another lawyer, Ms Jasmine Bwala, said: “I came to Abuja from Borno for a case. I have been here since Friday.

“My client was to be arraigned before a vacation judge in the FCT High Court, but the strike, prevented the arraignment. He is now in detention,’’ Bwala said.

Also, Mr Dan Nwosu, who expressed support for JUSUN’s strike said: “I believe the judiciary being a vital arm of the government, should be given financial autonomy to make it independent.

“If the judiciary must remain impartial, then financial independence or autonomy is an indispensable factor,” Nwosu said.

He said that it would be good if the demands of JUSUN on autonomy were granted to avoid “anarchy’’, while Mr. Bayo Taiwo, said that autonomy for the judiciary was vital.

“Proper reforms cannot be achieved without independence in the true sense of it,’’ Taiwo, an Abuja-based lawyer, said.

NAN recalls that JUSUN on Friday, July 11, after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee, ordered its members in the 36 states to embark on indefinite strike.

NAN further reports that the strike began following the failure of state governments to implement a Federal High Court, Abuja, orders in respect of financial autonomy of state judiciaries.

The others were failure of stakeholders to abide by the decision to set up technical implementation committee of the FAAC meeting of June 17.

NAN further reports that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on Jan. 14, restrained the Federal Government and the 36 states governors from holding on to funds meant for the judiciary.

Ademola ruled that funds meant for the judiciary should rather be disbursed directly to the heads of court and not to the executive arm of government.

The judge held that the practice of the executive disbursing funds to the judiciary was unconstitutional and also threatened the independence of the judiciary.

Relying on the provisions of Sections 83(1), 212(3) and 162(9) of the constitution of as amended, Ademola, said the provisions were clear and straightforward and should, therefore, be complied with.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation and the states should act responsibly and promptly to avoid constitutional crisis in this country by ensuring financial autonomy for the judiciary,’’ Ademola had held.

He maintained that the era of the judiciary going cap in hand to beg the executive for fund was over.

According to the judgment, the piecemeal allocation through the states’ Ministry of Finance to the states’ judiciary is unconstitutional, cumbersome, null, void, and should be stopped forthwith. (NAN)