Fiscal autonomy/Independence of Judiciary: JUSUN laments Govs refusal to implement court ruling

THE Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has lamented the failure of state governors to allow for the independent of the Judiciary as spelt out in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

Besides, the union decried the refusal of the governors to implement the Federal High Court ruling, affirming the fiscal autonomy and independence of the judiciary.

Speaking on this issue of concern to the union, President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu stated that governors had to be persuaded over the years to comply with the ruling of the court, with no avail.

Marwan, who recently graduated from the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NIPS), Kuru, pointed out that as it stands, some governors regard the matter as dead, believing that judiciary in Nigeria should not be more than the errand arm of the Executive.

The JUSUN president further warned that government at all levels, must do something urgently to save the situation as the union can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the nation judicial system.

The union also called for an urgent review of the retirement age for Judges in both the federal and state governments’ employments.

Even though its members are mostly non-Judges, the union believes this would bring sanity and the needed reform to the sector.

Presently, Judges at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal retired at 70, while other judicial officers retire at 65. But the union is insisting on a review to 75 and 70 for federal and state judges respectively.

“Ordinarily, one will think that JUSUN will only restrict its activities to the defence and protection of the job and welfare of their members. But with the union’s antecedents in recent time, it is clear that JUSUN’s major concern is a total reform in the sector,” Marwan said.

The JUSUN President said:”With the setting up of a 13-man committee by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghene to undertake a holistic review of the operations of the nation’s judiciary with a view to identifying the challenges hindering its efficient and effective operations as an arm of government, one expects that succour may be on the way to free judiciary from the executive’s grip. But since that time, we have not heard anything about the committee or its report.”

Out of respect for the CJN, and after waiting for the outcome of the committee’s assignment, the union wrote the CJN, believing that it is taking longer time than necessary to implement the committee’s report.

In the letter, the union said  it should not be held responsible for any industrial dispute.

In the letter, signed by the JUSUN General Secretary, Comrade Isaiah Adetola, the union laments the neglect of judiciary as an arm of government.

It stated that in most cases court rooms are housed in rented apartment in many states in Nigeria.

It also cites a court judgement awarded in favour of the union by the Federal High Court Abuja, affirming the position of the union on the fiscal autonomy and independence of the judiciary.

Adetola stated that despite several correspondences from the union to President Muhammadu Buhari on the development, no effort was made to address the unfortunate development.

He warning that the workers’ patience is being over tasked.