Open Courts, Judiciary Enjoys Autonomy In Rivers, Wike Urges JUSUN

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the Judiciary enjoys full financial autonomy hence, the industrial action embarked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is not necessary in the state.
Wike said it was unfortunate that Judiciary workers in the state, despite enjoying financial autonomy, still shut the courts in what they called ‘solidarity with other states’.
The governor made the condemnation while addressing members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), who were on a solidarity protest in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, in support of financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
“What’s the reason? As far as this state is concerned, JUSUN has no reason to go on strike. Is it because their national head office asked them to do so?
“Go and ask the Judiciary in this state if any money meant for them is not given to them, even beyond that. So, we are implementing financial autonomy.
“If another state is not implementing, why should Rivers State have to suffer simply because some states are not implementing financial autonomy?”
Wike also expressed surprise at NBA that they could protest over such issue because they were numb between 2013 and 2015, when the courts where shut in Rivers State by the immediate past administration.
The governor also wondered the essence of NBA’s protest when they know that there was already full implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary by his administration.
“I am surprised that, for the first time, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is coming on to protest. When the courts were shut down (from 2013 to May, 2015), they couldn’t go on protest.
“Again, you have said here that you’re protesting because of what you fear could happen when I leave office, on whether my successor will continue to implement financial autonomy for the Judiciary.”