Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has urged governors to comply with the laws that legitimise and recognise the financial autonomy of the judiciary, in light of the strike action being carried out by Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). 

“A simple way out is for state governors to observe the rule of law and obey judgements of the court. Sections 81 (3) and 121 (3) of the Constitution of Nigeria grant financial autonomy to the federal and the state’s judiciaries,” he wrote in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Mr Agbakoba reiterated that the governors should enforce the court’s decision in the interest of justice and the country.

The letter dated April 11 described the strike carried out by judicial staff as “avoidable”, noting the strain the industrial action imposed on the  judiciary.

In the letter, confirmed cases such as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria Vs National Judiciary Council and Governors of the 36 states  and Olisa Agbakoba Vs FG, the NJC and National Assembly were cited to support his position. 

Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari signed Executive Order 10 into law to enable financial autonomy for the state legislatures and judiciary.

However, this order is yet to be implemented. Mr Agbakoba maintained this in the letter, urging the enforcement of this decision. 

Last Tuesday, JUSUN embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of state governments to implement the financial autonomy policy for the judiciary.

The association had said it would present its demands before the National Executive Committee, and the reopening of federal courts and courts would be in states that have complied with its financial autonomy demands.

The union had issued a 21-day ultimatum on March 13, to the government to implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary, failure on the end of the government then warranted the national strike action.