Edo PDP Lawmakers blame Oshiomhole for court workers strike

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Peoples Democratic party (PDP) members in Edo state House of Assembly have asked the state Governor Adams Oshiomhole to take responsibility for the indefinite strike embarked upon by the state wing of Judiciary workers union of Nigeria (JUSUN)

This was contained in a resolution passed by the Hon. Festus Ebea-led faction of the Assembly, stating that the state government was bound to comply with an Abuja Federal High judgment of January 13, 2014 which ordered it and 73 other respondents to release budgetary expenditure for the Judiciary to Court heads.

The Assembly also directed the Accountant -General of the Federation (AGF), Anthony- General of the Federation (AGF) and the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) to enforce the Court judgement.

Member representing Igueben Constituency and Minority Whip, Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe in a motion intimated the House that the strike action was occasioned by the State government refusal to obey a Federal High Court judgment.

Ehigiamusoe disclosed that the workers had secured the judgment through its umbrella body; Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in suit NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/1667/13.

He stated that the Court had in agreement with Sec. 162 and 81 of the constitution in January 2014 described the disbursement of funds to the judiciary in piecemeal as unprocedural, unconstitutional and null and void.

The legislator further stated that it was mandatory for every funds standing in the names of judiciary to be paid directory to court heads; because according to him, the court do not need to go cap in hand begging the executive for funds appropriated to them.

“Being a former labour leader, the governor should be at the forefront to comply with this judgement”, he added.

Also contributing, member representing Orhionmwon South II, Barrister Friday Ogierhaikhi bemoaned the harrowing experience of litigants arising from the over three weeks old strike.

He urged the parliament to take stringent action against what he described as an attempt by the executive to make a constitutional arm of government a private estate.