Despite the recent suspension of strike by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSON, courts in Cross River State are yet to resume sitting as a result of refusal by judicial staff to return to work, a situation that has adversely affected dispensation of justice in the state.
It would be recalled that JUSON had embarked on a nationwide strike, demanding for judicial autonomy.
The strike was however suspended, following agreement reached between the judicial workers and government.
While some courts in some states of the federation, including Supreme, Appeal, and Federal High Courts have resumed sitting, courts in Cross River are still under lock and key.
The chairman of the state branch of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, Mr. Asanya Ebong told Nigerian Pilot that they were yet to suspend the strike, following the state government’s refusal to meet their demands, which include granting autonomy to the state judiciary.
He said branches of the union in all the states of the federation were directed not to call off the strike except their demands are met by their respective state governments.
“The strike has been suspended at the national level, but we have to continue because the state government does not seem to understand our demand. What we want is the autonomy of the judiciary as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Mr. Ebong berated the Cross River state government over its lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of the judicial staff, noting that efforts by the union to resolve the issues in dispute with government have so far proved abortive.
He said the union was all out to ensure that the independence of the judiciary in Cross River was not compromised in anyway by the state government.
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Judiciary workers shun strike suspension in C/River
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