Court To Resume Activities As JUSUN Suspends 2-Month Strike

Nigerian courts will reopen on Thursday as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Wednesday, called off its industrial action which had lasted for over two months.

This was announced in a communique issued by the Deputy President of the body, Emmanuel Abioye; and the General Secretary, Isaiah Adetola, on Wednesday.

According to the communique, the decision to suspend the industrial action was reached at an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union, which held in Abuja.

Recall that JUSUN had embarked on a nationwide strike on April 6 to press home its demands for the implementation of the Financial Autonomy Act of 2018 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The union embarked on the industrial action following the non-compliance of some state governments to implement the Financial Autonomy Act of 2018, which guaranteed the financial autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary.

Meanwhile, JUSUN in the communique stated that the decision to suspend the strike was also due to the intervention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and other relevant stakeholders.

“NEC-in-session discussed extensively and after putting so many issues into consideration i.e the intervention of NJC and other stakeholders, the NEC has resolved that the strike is hereby suspended,” the communique partly reads.

JUSUN also appreciated the Chief Justice of the Federation and all heads of courts for their efforts, patience and understanding throughout the period of the industrial action.

The union also appreciated the efforts of the NJC in making sure that the governors of the federation comply with the Memorandum of Action, judgment and agreement on the financial autonomy of the judiciary.

JUSUN, however, appealed to the NJC, the Presidential Implementation Committee, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Accountant-General of the Federation and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the financial autonomy act as provided for in Section 81 (3), 121 (3), and 162(9), of the 1999 Constitution as amended.