JUSUN Strike: Wike Threatens To Activate No Work No Pay

…Says Rivers Won’t Allow Judiciary Submit Budget Directly To
House Of Assembly

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned that the state
government will no longer pay salaries of the state’s chapter of
Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) if it fails to call off
its strike by the end of May.

Wike insisted that there was no basis for JUSUN strike in Rivers
because the judiciary was already enjoying financial autonomy and
improved staff welfare.

The governor spoke on Tuesday in Port Harcourt at the special
court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of Rivers
State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.

He explained that the state was not unaware of the agreement
among the Federal Government, the Governors Forum and JUSUN on the
implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and
legislative branches across the country.

But he said: “We would therefore neither set up any new
implementation Committee because it’s simply unnecessary, nor allow
the state’s judiciary to submit its budget directly to the state
House of Assembly in breach of extant fiscal policies and
regulations that regulate the state’s budgeting process.”

Wike took a swipe at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for
instigating unnecessary tension in the state over the appointment
of a chief Judge.

He also castigated International Federation of Women Lawyers
(FIDA) for making ‘misguided noises’ on gender equality because a
woman was not recommended by the National Judicial Council to
succeed Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.

The governor maintained that in the appointment of an Acting
Chief judge, the most senior judge in the hierarchy remained an
absolute condition.

He said the condition was not the same in the appointment of a
substantive chief judge.

He said: “Apart from the basic qualifications, sound character,
ability to lead and work harmoniously with colleagues, hard work
and willingness to take on challenging cases without a penchant for
returning files for reassignment on flimsy excuses are some of
accepted dispositional requirements for such very important
appointment.

“At any rate, the state Judicial Service Commission could not
have recommended a judicial officer who has become notorious for
returning casefiles for reassignment on flimsy excuses to the prime
position of chief judge.

“No one should have expected the State’s Judicial Service
Commission to recommend for appointment as chief judge a judicial
officer who had promised to reopen disciplinary cases already dealt
with and reinstate persons duly disciplined for corrupt practices
and abuse of office.

“And no one could have convinced the State Judicial Service
Commission to recommend for appointment as a chief judge a judicial
officer who had promised to work with the political opposition to
make the upcoming political transition process very turbulent and
difficult for the state.”

The governor extoled Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra as a bold, fearless
and courageous judge who resisted political pressures and halted
the sitting of the kangaroo judicial panel of inquiry set up by the
previous governor to indict his political reputation on spurious
charges and fabricated facts.

He stressed that under the leadership of Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra
the state’s judiciary effectively enjoyed both administrative and
financial autonomy never before experienced in this state.

The governor presented to her the certificate of occupancy of a
new deluxe home built for her by the state government and keys for
a brand-new sport utility vehicle and a Hilux van.

In her remarks, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra said she would eternally
be grateful to Wike, who made it possible for her to emerge as the
8th Chief Judge of the state despite being a non-indigene.

She said: “Not standing on ceremonies and putting aside all the
sentiments and prejudices that have hobbled this otherwise great
country of our since its founding. His Excellency, as if against
the run of play, appointed me the chief judge on 8th day of March,
2016, making me the second non-Rivers indigene.”

She described the JUSUN strike as unnecessary because the state
judiciary was currently enjoying full financial autonomy.

She urged the striking workers to call off the strike in the
interest of dispensation of justice.

Also, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor lauded Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra for
developing a unique style of saving precious judicial time that
ensured speedy determination of cases and matters before her.

He said: “Your service to the Rivers State judiciary and
contributions to the development of our law and the sustainable
growth of the legal profession will forever be appreciated by all
men of goodwill.”

Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Onueze C.J.
Okocha (SAN), said Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra judicial career was
unblemished and commended her for digitalisation of the state
judiciary.

…Says Rivers Won’t Allow Judiciary Submit Budget Directly To
House Of Assembly

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned that the state
government will no longer pay salaries of the state’s chapter of
Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) if it fails to call off
its strike by the end of May.

Wike insisted that there was no basis for JUSUN strike in Rivers
because the judiciary was already enjoying financial autonomy and
improved staff welfare.

The governor spoke on Tuesday in Port Harcourt at the special
court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of Rivers
State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.

He explained that the state was not unaware of the agreement
among the Federal Government, the Governors Forum and JUSUN on the
implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and
legislative branches across the country.

But he said: “We would therefore neither set up any new
implementation Committee because it’s simply unnecessary, nor allow
the state’s judiciary to submit its budget directly to the state
House of Assembly in breach of extant fiscal policies and
regulations that regulate the state’s budgeting process.”

Wike took a swipe at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for
instigating unnecessary tension in the state over the appointment
of a chief Judge.

He also castigated International Federation of Women Lawyers
(FIDA) for making ‘misguided noises’ on gender equality because a
woman was not recommended by the National Judicial Council to
succeed Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.

The governor maintained that in the appointment of an Acting
Chief judge, the most senior judge in the hierarchy remained an
absolute condition.

He said the condition was not the same in the appointment of a
substantive chief judge.

He said: “Apart from the basic qualifications, sound character,
ability to lead and work harmoniously with colleagues, hard work
and willingness to take on challenging cases without a penchant for
returning files for reassignment on flimsy excuses are some of
accepted dispositional requirements for such very important
appointment.

“At any rate, the state Judicial Service Commission could not
have recommended a judicial officer who has become notorious for
returning casefiles for reassignment on flimsy excuses to the prime
position of chief judge.

“No one should have expected the State’s Judicial Service
Commission to recommend for appointment as chief judge a judicial
officer who had promised to reopen disciplinary cases already dealt
with and reinstate persons duly disciplined for corrupt practices
and abuse of office.

“And no one could have convinced the State Judicial Service
Commission to recommend for appointment as a chief judge a judicial
officer who had promised to work with the political opposition to
make the upcoming political transition process very turbulent and
difficult for the state.”

The governor extoled Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra as a bold, fearless
and courageous judge who resisted political pressures and halted
the sitting of the kangaroo judicial panel of inquiry set up by the
previous governor to indict his political reputation on spurious
charges and fabricated facts.

He stressed that under the leadership of Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra
the state’s judiciary effectively enjoyed both administrative and
financial autonomy never before experienced in this state.

The governor presented to her the certificate of occupancy of a
new deluxe home built for her by the state government and keys for
a brand-new sport utility vehicle and a Hilux van.

In her remarks, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra said she would eternally
be grateful to Wike, who made it possible for her to emerge as the
8th Chief Judge of the state despite being a non-indigene.

She said: “Not standing on ceremonies and putting aside all the
sentiments and prejudices that have hobbled this otherwise great
country of our since its founding. His Excellency, as if against
the run of play, appointed me the chief judge on 8th day of March,
2016, making me the second non-Rivers indigene.”

She described the JUSUN strike as unnecessary because the state
judiciary was currently enjoying full financial autonomy.

She urged the striking workers to call off the strike in the
interest of dispensation of justice.

Also, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor lauded Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra for
developing a unique style of saving precious judicial time that
ensured speedy determination of cases and matters before her.

He said: “Your service to the Rivers State judiciary and
contributions to the development of our law and the sustainable
growth of the legal profession will forever be appreciated by all
men of goodwill.”

Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Onueze C.J.
Okocha (SAN), said Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra judicial career was
unblemished and commended her for digitalisation of the state
judiciary.