Judiciary workers, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), yesterday, commenced an indefinite nationwide strike to press home their demand for the financial autonomy of the Judiciary.
The national leadership of JUSUN in a circular dated April 1, ordered the shutdown of various courts across the country as from Tuesday, April 6.
In Rivers State, the state chapter of JUSUN joined their counterparts across the country to shut down the courts.
The Tide reports that members of JUSUN in the state were seen picketing the front gate of the Judiciary along Azikiwe Road.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, National Vice President, South-South of JUSUN, Sokari George, said the union only withdraw their service, adding that all allowances due to them as essential workers have not been paid.
“It is long overdue, as a union, the next step we can take is to call the attention of the stakeholders by a way of embarking on national strike.
“As essential workers they are peculiar allowances due the workers, there is nothing to write home about that, even some state and in the zone they are not been paid. It is normal for the right thing to be done.
“For today’s action, the house of justice cannot be locked and have never been done, we only withdraw our services, for those who feel our services due not matter and decided to treat us with levity.”
Also speaking, the state Chairman of JUSUN, Comrade Nwachukwu Anthony, explained why members shut down the entrance to the court premises
“We are here as members of JUSUN, and belong to the national body. Our national body in the NEC meeting on the 13th of March took a position that, today, all Judiciary workers should shut down all Judiciary premises in the country and we are following that directive.
“What we are asking for is Judiciary autonomy, financial autonomy of the Judiciary that is all as amended in the Constitution, Section 121(3) clearly stated there”.
However, members of the Rivers State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have said that government should not single them out for punishment for complying with the directive of their national leadership to shut down court activities.
JUSUN Chairman in Rivers State, Comrade Nwachukwu Anthony, stressed that the withdrawal of their services was a national issue and not peculiar to any particular state government.
Anthony told reporters in Port Harcourt that JUSUN picketed the Judiciary nationwide after a 21-day ultimatum given to Federal Government to implement fully fiscal autonomy had elapsed.
He disclosed that Judiciary staff are regarded as essential workers, stressing that even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when workers in several government ministries and departments operated from home, JUSUN members still went to work.
“Let me tell you, if there are people who are so considerate among several Rivers State workers, they are judiciary workers,” Anthony emphasised.
“See, we just experienced the Coronavirus pandemic. As it stands now, many workers in Rivers State ministries and departments are working from their houses.
“Now, are you aware that Judiciary workers have never stayed a day at home? They (government) say we are essential workers. And we have been working. We come to work very early in the morning and close late.
“We don’t joke with our work. We value our jobs and we value the state government because they are doing their own work. But, what we are saying is, (what) we are doing now, we are not against the state government.
“The problem is not peculiar to Rivers State. It is not a quagmire between JUSUN Rivers State and the government. It is JUSUN nationwide versus government. So, nobody should single out JUSUN Rivers State to say we are complaining about government.”