May 20, 2021

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to ensure speedy resolution of the lingering strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Sergius Ogun (PDP-Edo) on the floor of the house on Thursday in Abuja

Moving the motion, Ogun said that the judiciary remained a critical component of government, saddled with the responsibility of adjudication of disputes which helped in the smooth running and functioning of the state.

He said that the closure of courts posed grave danger to the polity and was capable of exacerbating the current security situation in the country.

The lawmaker said that the strike had contributed to the overcrowding of police cells and correctional facilities across the country, adding that inmates were unable to go for trial or get bail.

He added that it had contributed to festering of disputes between private citizens as there were no judicial forum to submit their grievances for resolution.

He nonetheless appreciated the Federal Government and some State Governments for the steps they had taken to resolve the dispute in order for strike to be called off.

The house also mandated the Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity and Judiciary to interface with the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Attorney–General of the Federation on steps taken to address the matter.

It asked the committee to submit its report within four weeks for further legislative action.

JUSUN had on April 6 embarked on an indefinite strike, owing to the failure of government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary (NAN)