The striking members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JOSUN, have reiterated commitment to its ongoing strike action despite the plea by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, for them to suspend the strike.
Their decision was conveyed in a statement issued by the National Deputy President, Emmanuel Abioye, and the General Secretary, Isaiah Adetola, after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday met with the CJN in a bid to finding solutions to the lingering industrial action.
Muhammad thereafter beckoned on the union to call off the strike.
However, the union while commending the intervention of the CJN, the minister, and others vowed to continue with the strike.
The statement said the union would continue with the ongoing industrial action until the provision of the constitution in contention is fully complied with as the provisions of the constitution are non-negotiable.
JUSUN also resolved to “deal with any state found not fully complying with its directive on the ongoing strike action while commending members to remain resolute.”
The Union also warned that its members should not be victimized as a result of the ongoing strike action and expressed displeasure with some of the Chief Judges for working against the fight for financial autonomy.
“NEC-in-session frowns at the attitude of some state Chief Judges on their anti-constitutional disposition on the full implementation of the financial autonomy of the Judiciary,” it said.
It also condemned the decision of the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai in declaring the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, wanted.
Similarly, the union frowned at the action of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi and called for the immediate payment of the withheld salary and dues accruing to the union.