By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday commended all its branches for their full support in the ongoing five weeks old strike embarked upon by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) over financial autonomy of the judiciary.
Recall that JUSUN leadership on April 6 directed her members nationwide to shut down all courts, offices, and departments for a nationwide industrial action.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Rapulu Nduka, he urged the various branches not to relent in the fight as it is an important course. He also pleaded with them to be a little more patient, with the whole situation.
Below is the full statement:
JUSUN STRIKE: NBA COMMENDS BRANCHES, ASSURES CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT, PLEADS WITH MEMBERS TO BE PATIENT
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware, the strike action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has entered its 5th week. The implication of this, is that our courts are shut down, thereby halting the activities of the 3rd arm of government.
Be assured that the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association will continue to engage the various stakeholders in ensuring that the constitutional provisions guaranteeing the financial autonomy of the judiciary, are enforced to the latter, as a condition precedent for calling off the strike action.
The NBA leadership commends the efforts of its Branches in standing firm, and putting the necessary pressure on the various State Governments, to obey the law in this regard. The various Branches are urged not to relent in the interest of our democracy.
The NBA leadership is not unmindful of the financial strain on legal practitioners, occasioned by the ongoing JUSUN strike, and plead with members to be patient as this struggle anchors on the Association’s paramount mandate of promoting the Rule of Law.
Dr. Rapulu Nduka
Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association.