TheCable

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike to protest the government’s failure to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Isaiah Adetola, secretary-general of JUSUN, announced via a circular dated April 1 that the workers will down their tools starting from Tuesday.

The industrial action comes days after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced a nationwide strike to protest poor remuneration and conditions of service.

Adetola said the strike follows a 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary.

“As a result of the public holiday on April 5, 2021, the strike action has been postponed to Tuesday, April 6, 2021,” he said.

“You are directed to shut down courts/departments in your states until further notice from the National Secretariat of JUSUN in Abuja.”

Some Nigerians and groups have been advocating for financial autonomy for the judiciary — and state houses of assembly — to make them more independent of the executive.

President Muhammadu Buhari eventually signed an executive order granting financial autonomy to both arms of government in May 2020.

The gazetting of the order was, however, suspended after the president met with governors who later expressed concerns over its constitutionality.

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state governor, recently said the governors and other stakeholders will soon meet to finalise the framework for the implementation of the financial autonomy.