JUSUN Frowns At Lack Of Judiciary Financial Autonomy, Issues 21-Day Ultimatum
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has expressed strong discontent over the continued failure to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary by state governors.
At its recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 2nd, 2023 in Abuja, JUSUN outlined its positions on several salient issues in a communique.
Regarding removal of fuel subsidies, JUSUN endorsed the Nigeria Labour Congress’ stance, critiquing the lack of adequate preparation by the Federal Government.
On the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s circular on peculiar allowances for judiciary staff, JUSUN lauded this development. It urged the National Judicial Council to implement the circular to ensure industrial harmony.
However, JUSUN lambasted the non-implementation of judiciary financial autonomy by governors, despite constitutional provisions, court judgments, and repeated demands.
Consequently, JUSUN issued a 21-day ultimatum for full implementation of judiciary financial autonomy. It warned that failure to comply could disrupt industrial harmony in states.
The strongly-worded communique signals JUSUN’s frustration with violations of judiciary independence through financial control by state executives.
By issuing a timeline for action backed by threats of unrest, the union aims to compel action on this long-delayed reform essential for a functioning judiciary.
JUSUN appears primed to resurrect its strike action that paralyzed courts in 2021 if its ultimatum continues to be ignored. The union’s demands have placed pressure on governors to abide by constitutional requirements granting self-governance to the judiciary.
