JUSUN Strike: Judiciary Annual Vacation Should Be Suspended, Says Fmr. NBA 2nd VP, Ubani

A former second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association,
and the Chairman Conference Planning Committee for NBA Section on
Public Interest and Development Law, Mr. Monday Ubani, has said
that judiciary should not embark on its usual annual vacation for
this year.

Ubani made this statement while reacting to the indefinite
strike imposed by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, compelling
all judiciary workers to remain at home until their demand for
financial autonomy has been met.
He said: “It is my opinion that when the courts resume, if
possible, they should forgo the annual vacation for this year. They
are already on vacation as far as I am concerned.

“I believe this is necessary in order for them to attend to all
the cases which have been piling up. The administration of justice
in Nigeria is very slow and the ongoing strike is worsening the
situation. I have up to five cases of people who have been
languishing in Ikoyi and Kirikiri prisons. Some of them have been
there for about seven years. Their matters have not come up for
trial and it is obvious that the current strike is affecting them
adversely.

“There are numerous cases like these all over the country. A lot
of people have been arrested by the Nigerian police and their
matters cannot be taken to court, even for bail applications.

“Apart from criminal cases, there are also civil cases on land,
contract, maritime, aviation, and constitutional issues. The strike
is affecting every sphere of legal practice. For example, Baba
Ijesha cannot be taken to court until the strike is called off, he
will have to remain in detention. This also applies to the alleged
killer of Ini Umoren.

“These are just a few of the important cases the courts have to
deal with once they resume their duties.”

TheNigerialawyer recalls that strike action by the Judiciary
Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has entered its 5th week. The
implication of this is that courts are shut down, thereby halting
the activities of the 3rd arm of government.

A former second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association,
and the Chairman Conference Planning Committee for NBA Section on
Public Interest and Development Law, Mr. Monday Ubani, has said
that judiciary should not embark on its usual annual vacation for
this year.

Ubani made this statement while reacting to the indefinite
strike imposed by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, compelling
all judiciary workers to remain at home until their demand for
financial autonomy has been met.
He said: “It is my opinion that when the courts resume, if
possible, they should forgo the annual vacation for this year. They
are already on vacation as far as I am concerned.

“I believe this is necessary in order for them to attend to all
the cases which have been piling up. The administration of justice
in Nigeria is very slow and the ongoing strike is worsening the
situation. I have up to five cases of people who have been
languishing in Ikoyi and Kirikiri prisons. Some of them have been
there for about seven years. Their matters have not come up for
trial and it is obvious that the current strike is affecting them
adversely.

“There are numerous cases like these all over the country. A lot
of people have been arrested by the Nigerian police and their
matters cannot be taken to court, even for bail applications.

“Apart from criminal cases, there are also civil cases on land,
contract, maritime, aviation, and constitutional issues. The strike
is affecting every sphere of legal practice. For example, Baba
Ijesha cannot be taken to court until the strike is called off, he
will have to remain in detention. This also applies to the alleged
killer of Ini Umoren.

“These are just a few of the important cases the courts have to
deal with once they resume their duties.”

TheNigerialawyer recalls that strike action by the Judiciary
Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has entered its 5th week. The
implication of this is that courts are shut down, thereby halting
the activities of the 3rd arm of government.