Anambra NBA Urges Gov. Obiano to Implement Judicial Autonomy

The Anambra branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has advised Gov. Willie Obiano to begin the implementation financial autonomy for the judiciary in the state.

Mr Kingsley Awuka, the Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of the eight branches of NBA, made the call at a news conference in Awka on Friday.

Awuka, who is also the Chairman, NBA Nnewi branch, expressed worry over the ongoing nationwide strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

He urged Obiano to ignore the decision of the Governor’s Forum, saying the group’s decision to suspend discussion and engagement of JUSUN is uncharitable, unpatriotic and totally unacceptable.

Awuka said: “The committee fully lends its support to the demands of JUSUN and shall sustain this support until the demands are met.
“We call on all the 36 state governors, particularly Gov. Obiano, to immediately commence the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution as it relates to the financial autonomy of the judiciary.

“We also want to draw Obiano’s attention to the rot and dilapidated state of infrastructure in the state judiciary.
“Many High Courts, where judges sit, are in dire straits.
“It has now become a regular practice in many courts in the state for judges and lawyers to un-robe due to unconducive state of the environment where they sit.”

Awuka said the committee would join forces with JUSUN to mobilise the public and civil society organisations for a protest, should the governors fail to meet the union’s demand.

“If the governors fail to make trustworthy commitment towards the implementation of the judicial autonomy, and the strike lingers for more than seven days from April 16, we shall join JUSUN in protests to compel the governors to fully comply accordingly,” he said.

Supreme reports that JUSUN began an indefinite nationwide strike over the non-implementation of judicial financial autonomy as enshrined in the constitution on April 6.

President Muhammadu Buhari had signed an Executive Order, granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state Houses of Assembly in May 2020, following several agitations by the union.

However, the gazetting of the order was suspended after Buhari met with governors, who expressed concern over its constitutionality.