By Ayo Fadimu
Mixed reactions have followed the suspension of the nationwide two months strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for financial autonomy for judiciary.
The JUSUN’s Deputy National Deputy President, Emmanuel Abioye, announced suspension of the strike in a communique issued at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Wednesday in Abuja.
It would be recalled that JUSUN began a nationwide strike on April 6, over the failure of the government to implement the law recognising financial autonomy for the judiciary.
It will also recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on May 22, 2020, signed into law an Executive Order granting financial autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary across the 36 states of the federation.
According to Abioye, the NEC-in-session commended the Chief Justice of the federation and all heads of courts for their patience and understanding throughout the period of the industrial action.
“NEC-in-session commends the effort of the NJC in making sure that the Governors obey the MOA, Judgment and agreement on the Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary.
“NEC-in-session commends the NWC/NEC and all JUSUN members for all their sacrifice, understanding and patience,” he said.
According to him, NEC condemned the actions of the Governors of Kaduna, Plateau and Benue for withholding salaries of Judiciary in their various states for months and urge all governors involved to do the needful.
Abioye also said that NEC-in-session agreed that there shall be introduction of peculiar allowance throughout the State and Federal Courts.
“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.
“NEC-in-session plead with the 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 laid to rest finally.
“This is as provided for in Section 81 (3), 121 (3), and 162(9), of -1999 Constitution as amended,” he said.
He said that the NEC-in-session also frowned at the deduction of salary of JUSUN members of Bayelsa and requested that the deducted sum be restored forthwith.
Abioye, therefore, said that the NEC- in- session warned that members of JUSUN should not be victimised on the industrial action.
Meanwhile, some lawyers have described as laudable, suspension of the 64-day-old strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The lawyers told our Correspondent in interviews on Wednesday that the strike paralysed justice administration..
The strike is the longest industrial action the Nigerian judiciary has ever recorded.
JUSUN embarked on strike in January 2015 for the same reason but it lasted for two weeks.
Reacting to the suspension of the strike, a lawyer with Justification Law Firm, Ikeja, Mr Chibuikem Opara said that JUSUN had made a statement by sustaining the strike for two months.
“I believe it is the right thing to do in calling off the strike after making inroads on its objectives.
“This strike should teach every Nigerian a great lesson,” Opara said.
Also reacting, Principal Partner, Owolabi Chambers, Mr Ademola Owolabi commended JUSUN for suspending the strike.
“Open-ended strike is dangerous and debilitating as well as counter-productive.
“The strike paralysed the citizens from challenging some obnoxious policies.
“Conversely, it straightened the hand of the state as the court was not allowed to perform its role of being an arbiter between the governed and the government,” Owolabi said.
However, a former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch in Lagos State, Mr Bayo Akinlade said: “It is premature to suspend the strike having come this far.
“JUSUN should have stood its ground.” he said.