Judicial activities in Imo State stood still yesterday as a result of the indefinite industrial action by the Imo State leadership of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
The aggrieved workers downed tools as a result of what they termed “the apparent unwillingness of Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to comply with the ruling of the Federal High Court judgment on the financial autonomy of the judiciary”.
According to the release by the leadership of the body, JUSUN explained their action stemmed from the State Government’s inability to respond to legitimate demands.
In declaring the indefinite industrial action, the union directed “all the offices of the courts and the State Judicial Service Commission, to remain under lock and key, until further notice”.
At the scene judicial workers completely deserted their offices, while the litigants were seen in groups bemoaning their plight. Lawyers lamented that “the indefinite industrial action would further worsen the bad situation in Imo Judiciary”.
According to a lawyer, “the courts are currently congested due to lack of adequate number of judges to adjudicate over the numerous matters”, adding that even those awaiting trial would simply remain in jail, until the labour crisis was resolved.
