The Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has called on the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to call off their strike action, noting that the prolonged industrial action is affecting the justice system.
Mr Kingsley Awuka, Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of the eight branches of NBA in Anambra, made the call in a statement in Awka on Saturday.
According to statement, the decision of the Governors’ Forum to suspend discussion and engagement with JUSUN was uncharitable, unpatriotic and totally unacceptable.
NaijaNewsNow reports that JUSUN began a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, April 6, 2021 over the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution.
The statement reads in part: “The justice sector of our country is progressively sliding into the destructive dungeon with no hope in sight of its recovery.
“All the courts have been under lock key with many pending cases. Time and space will not permit us to enumerate the inexhaustible evil consequences of this ugly situation.”
The Anambra NBA also called on the 36 states governors to commence the implementation of judicial financial autonomy in the country.
“We particularly urge Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra to ignore the decision of the Governors’ Forum and commence the implementation of judicial financial autonomy in the state.
“We also want to draw the attention of Gov. Obiano to the rot and dilapidating state of infrastructure in the Anambra State Judiciary. Many High Courts, where Judges sit, are in dire straits.
“It has now become a regular practice in many courts in the state for judges and lawyers to un-robe due to the unconducive state of the environment where they sit”, it added.
