The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Wednesday gave its blessings to the nationwide strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, blaming the federal government for the crisis in the judiciary over its breaches of collective agreements.
This backing was disclosed by the Secretary General of the Congress, Peter Ozo-Eson, who said the government is in the habit of disobeying Judicial pronouncements by a court of competent jurisdiction, especially when the issue of workers’ interest is involved.
The congress blamed the current crisis on a chain of broken promises by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, State Governments and other government agencies.
According the NLC, about a year ago, a court had directed the AGF to pay the National Judicial Council, NJC allocations due to the judiciary, as part of efforts to strengthen democracy by directly funding the Judiciary through statutory allocations.
The congress, according to Ozo-Esan, believes that the autonomy and independence of the judiciary is not negotiable if the development of the judiciary is to be guaranteed.
The congress noted that after the judgment, not less than seven memoranda of understanding between JUSUN and government were signed after equal number of negotiations and agreements.
The NLC said JUSUN had demonstrated understanding and maturity despite series of breaches on the part of government by restraining itself from calling out its members to protest government’s acts of bad faith.
The congress called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and state Attorneys General to respect the judgment of the court since direct funding of the judiciary is a constitutional right that has been reinforced by a pronouncement of the court.
“It is saddening that these law officers are seen to be breaking the law in such a brazen manner and at a time like this. Financial autonomy for the Judiciary is non-negotiable”, Ozo-Esan said
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