Financial Autonomy: Reps Ask JUSUN To Exclude Federal Judiciary Staff From Strike

The house of representatives committee on judiciary has asked
the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to exempt federal
workers from the nationwide industrial action it started on April
6.

The union is protesting the government’s failure to implement
financial autonomy for the judiciary to ensure its financial
independence from the executive.

President Muhammadu Buhari had signed the executive order
granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state houses of
assembly in May 2020, after several agitations.
The gazetting of the order was, however, suspended after the
president met with governors who expressed concern over its
constitutionality.

Speaking at the meeting held with the leadership of JUSUN on
Wednesday, Onofiok Luke, chairman of the house of representatives
committee, noted that financial autonomy will guarantee
independence of the judiciary.

He, however, said it was unfair to involve staff of federal
courts in the strike since the federal government had kept its word
on granting judiciary workers financial autonomy.

“One clear ingredient of what makes for the independence of the
judiciary is the financial autonomy, which will lead to a good
working environment for the judicial officers and staff of the
judiciary,” he said.

“It would lead to better welfare, and then it would lead to our
judicial officers discharging their responsibilities without any
fear or favour.

“We understand this as a legislature. To that extent, we are in
solidarity with you on that issue that you are making to ensure
that you have financial autonomy that would lead to the
independence of the judiciary.

“Just like it has been expressed by other of our colleagues, our
only point of divergence here is the totality of industrial action
even within the federal courts, because if the federal government
has abided by the provisions of the constitution of the federal
republic of Nigeria in making sure that money meant for federal
judiciary — that is under statutory transfer — is sent straight to
the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the benefit of courts and
other judicial bodies under the federal government, it is not fair
for the staff of the judiciary at the federal level to embark on
this industrial action.

“So, I understand your agitation but please let us narrow our
agitation to those who have not complied with this issue of
financial autonomy, which is the state.”

Onofiok said the house will engage the governors to ensure that
they implement financial autonomy for state judiciary workers.

In his remarks, Emmanuel Abioye, deputy national president of
JUSUN, said non-compliance with court judgement over seven years
ago regarding the financial autonomy triggered the strike.

He, however, said the union would discuss the requests of the
house at its national executive committee to decide further action
on the strike.

The house of representatives committee on judiciary has asked
the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to exempt federal
workers from the nationwide industrial action it started on April
6.

The union is protesting the government’s failure to implement
financial autonomy for the judiciary to ensure its financial
independence from the executive.

President Muhammadu Buhari had signed the executive order
granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state houses of
assembly in May 2020, after several agitations.
The gazetting of the order was, however, suspended after the
president met with governors who expressed concern over its
constitutionality.

Speaking at the meeting held with the leadership of JUSUN on
Wednesday, Onofiok Luke, chairman of the house of representatives
committee, noted that financial autonomy will guarantee
independence of the judiciary.

He, however, said it was unfair to involve staff of federal
courts in the strike since the federal government had kept its word
on granting judiciary workers financial autonomy.

“One clear ingredient of what makes for the independence of the
judiciary is the financial autonomy, which will lead to a good
working environment for the judicial officers and staff of the
judiciary,” he said.

“It would lead to better welfare, and then it would lead to our
judicial officers discharging their responsibilities without any
fear or favour.

“We understand this as a legislature. To that extent, we are in
solidarity with you on that issue that you are making to ensure
that you have financial autonomy that would lead to the
independence of the judiciary.

“Just like it has been expressed by other of our colleagues, our
only point of divergence here is the totality of industrial action
even within the federal courts, because if the federal government
has abided by the provisions of the constitution of the federal
republic of Nigeria in making sure that money meant for federal
judiciary — that is under statutory transfer — is sent straight to
the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the benefit of courts and
other judicial bodies under the federal government, it is not fair
for the staff of the judiciary at the federal level to embark on
this industrial action.

“So, I understand your agitation but please let us narrow our
agitation to those who have not complied with this issue of
financial autonomy, which is the state.”

Onofiok said the house will engage the governors to ensure that
they implement financial autonomy for state judiciary workers.

In his remarks, Emmanuel Abioye, deputy national president of
JUSUN, said non-compliance with court judgement over seven years
ago regarding the financial autonomy triggered the strike.

He, however, said the union would discuss the requests of the
house at its national executive committee to decide further action
on the strike.