JUSUN strike: Oyo NBA meets AG to seek quick resolution

In furtherance of efforts to ensure that the continuous closure of courts and consequent congestion in prison, as well as police cells, becomes a thing of the past, the Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), on Monday, paid a visit to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, to ask the government to expedite action to resolve the issue of autonomy for the judiciary.

The meeting which was a follow-up of last Monday,”s visit in compliance with the directive of the national body of the NBA that the chairmen of all branches should effectively mobilise their members and pay visits to their respective State Governors to press home the demand for implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and repeat the visit every Monday, took place in the office of the Attorney General at the Ministry of Justice.

The Oyo NBA delegation comprising of the Oyo, Saki and Ogbomoso branch chairmen, the executives and senior members of the bar was led by the Ibadan NBA chairman, Olayinka Esan, told the Attorney General that the visit based on the instructions that they talk to my government through the Attorney General.

Esan stated that the courts are still closed and lawyers haven’t been able to earn an income for a month, adding that lawyer’s incomes are the least of the issues as much more us at stake especially in correctional centres.

“We have seen that the demands of JUSUN is constitutional and they have stated that the strike will continue till demand is met. We know they will still be paid while we won’t earn any income. So, we are pleading with the governor through you to expedite action on what to be done.

“Court vacation is coming. Local government election is around the corner and the courts will be needed after the polls. A lot is at stake; police stations and correctional centres have become congested due to the inability of courts to sit on bail applications or arraignments. Facilities at correctional centres are overstretched. This is the reason for our second visit.

In his response, Prof Oyewo stated that the situation is a national crisis and not peculiar to Oyo State, adding that it is unfortunate that the situation came to the present impasse as there had been engagement between parties before the strike.

According to him, when the strike started, there was still negotiations between JUSUN, the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NBA and the Federal Ministry of Labour, adding that the last meeting deadlocked over figured and inability to agree on minimum funding.

“Parties look out for their interests and we hope they consider the interest of the populace because, beyond the agreement, we must think of implementation which is key. I can assure you that the present administration in Oyo State has been working with the judiciary and the state will honour ant bargain we strike with JUSUN and the judiciary in maintaining the balance as provided by the law.

“In this situation, there must be check and balance and the issue of accountability comes into play. My office as the legal voice of the government will do all it must to ensure constitutionality and compliance is achieved,” Prof Oyewo said, reiterating that as a state the government is alive to its responsibilities on security and will not allow lawlessness to take root because courts are on strike.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded 624 New Infections Last Week, Lowest In Over Five Months

Last week, Nigeria recorded 624 new COVID-19 infections which is the lowest the country recorded in five months, Tribune Online analysis shows.

The 624 new cases reported between March 28 and April 3 is a reduction from the 849 recorded the previous week…JUSUN strike: Oyo NBA meets AG to seek quick resolution

JUSUN strike: Oyo NBA meets AG to seek quick resolution