FHC Reaps From JUSUN Strike In Rivers

Following the closure of
courts in Rivers State by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) over the crisis in Rivers State Judiciary,  the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt has become one of the major beneficiaries  of the situation as most legal documentations are now done in the court.
Speaking with The Tide at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt last Friday, a legal practitioner, Barr. Abraham Jande noted that the Rivers State Judiciary was losing a lot of revenue from legal documentation especially affidavit as deponents were flooding the court premises.
Barr. Jande remarked that despite the fact that private lawyers were the worst hit in the ongoing industrial action embarked upon the Judiciary Staff Union, the State government had lost a large chunk of revenue.
He said the Federal High Court had witnessed unprecedented queues as people depositing  for affidavits were the main people in the queue.
According to him, “apart from regular matters which were handled by the Federal High Courts, the FHC is inundated with human rights matters especially fundamental rights enforcement”.
He expressed regrets that access to justice had been hindered as he described the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
He remarked that the common man had become the victim of the present crisis in the state judiciary.
Barr. Jande pointed out that police cells were congested as suspects could no longer be charged to courts.
“In a situation like this, the rule of law no longer operates”, he stated.
He, however, urged government to be responsive to the wishes of the ruled.

Chidi Enyie