JUSUN ANAMBRA PROTEST GOV’S REFUSAL TO IMPLEMENT JUDICIARY AUTONOMY
Reporter : OBY ARINZE
Judiciary workers in Anambra State have called on government to obey the law backing the independence and financial autonomy of the judiciary in the country.
The workers made their feelings known during a peaceful demonstration in Awka to draw the attention of stakeholders in the sector to the matter.
The workers were comprised of judiciary staff of both state and federal high courts in the area.
The protesters, who demonstrated under the auspices of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Anambra State chapter, marched from the judiciary Headquarters in Awka through Aroma Junction down to Government house and back.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman JUSUN in the state, Comrade Jude Igwebuike, said the demonstration was as a result of noncompliance by governors to the financial autonomy of the judiciary.
Comrade Igwebuike noted that the judgement for the implementation of the law was given seven years ago followed by an executive order by President Muhammadu Buhari, which no governor in the country wanted to obey.
Comrade Igwebuike lamented the alleged marginalization of the judiciary by the executive arm of the government, saying that the issue of financial autonomy should have been resolved a long time ago.
Another member of JUSUN in the state, Comrade Ebere Nwemesi noted that the inability of government to implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary had brought about several challenges which affect the smooth running of courts in the state.
The Spokesperson for JUSUN in the state, Comrade Henry Ezeoke said the essence of the demonstration was to press home their demands particularly, the implementation of the financial autonomy of the judiciary in the state.
The workers who came out in their numbers had placards with different inscriptions such as “institutions Must be stronger than the occupants, Governors Don’t kill the Judiciary, Financial autonomy cannot be compromised, judgement for financial autonomy seven years gone,”