NBA MAKURDI BRANCH ON A SOLIDARITY RALLY WITH JUDICIAL STAFF UNION OF NIGERIA (JUSUN) AS THEY EMBARK ON A NATIONWIDE INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
DEBORAH ADEKAA.
The Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch today in Solidarity with the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria addressed journalists in Makurdi at the High Court Complex.
The NBA Chairman Justin Gbagir Esq while addressing the Press said the briefing became mandatory so as to show Solidarity with the sister body of the NBA as they embark on the industrial action demanding for financial independence of the judiciary from the Executive arm of Government based on the provisions of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The Chairman quoting the NBA National President, Olumide Akpata, said the NBA is fully aware of the Judgement of the Federal High Court of 13th January 2014 which unequivocally confirmed the autonomy of the Judiciary in line with the spirit and letters of the Constitution.
While that judgement was followed by a memorandum of understanding between JUSUN and relevant Stakeholders under which parties agreed to conscientiously give effect to the judgement of the Court, that has not been the case for seven years after the landmark judgement. This situation does not augur well for the Nigerian Constitution, as it suggests that members of the Executive arm of Government who swore to uphold the principles of the Constitution, can flout it, with impunity.
The President also stated with importance that the judiciary is equally an arm of Government relative to the Executive and the Legislature and it’s Independence is fundamental to the effective discharge of it’s mandate under the Constitution. A situation where the judiciary literally begs for it’s resources from the Executive arm, as is currently the case across several States cannot guarantee it’s Independence and constitutes an affront to the Constitution and the rule of law.
Justin Gbagir Esq had stated during a Valedictory Court Session that the general welfare of Judicial officers is in a humiliating state across the country. He said, despite that Civil Servants and political office holders have had their salaries and other welfare packages reviewed upward so many times, those of the Judicial officers have remain frozen for several years. It is against the above background that the NBA Makurdi Branch identify and support JUSUN for embarking on the said Strike which seems to be the only language that the Nigerian Democratic Government hears and understands.
In reaction to the position adopted by the Bar, Comrade Ochai Friday, the National Auditor General said “JUSUN at the State level has nothing much to contribute to the Strike but to ensure strict compliance and make sure that the order from the National Secretariat is implementated at all levels.” He commended the NBA Makurdi Branch for the show of love and support as JUSUN continue to demand for Financial Autonomy.
Justin Gbagir Esq called on the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom who is a progressive and listening Governor to take the bold step to be one of the first Governor’s to observe and implement the Constitutional provisions ensuring the Independence of the Judiciary.
