A lawyer, Mr. Victor Nwaugo, has appealed to the Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to urgently call off its strike.
Nwaugo, who was speaking about the impact of the industrial action on the justice system, lamented that inmates who should have regained freedom and detainees who had been granted bail are still being held inside correctional facilities because the courts are not sitting.
The lawyer, who said that the situation is undermining access to justice, also said lawyers in Abia State are now facing economic difficulties.
He added that several litigants in the state are now in confusion as many adjourned cases in various courts cannot be attended to because of JUSUN’s disagreement with the Abia State government.
“People who should have regained their freedom remain in custody. Some have been granted bail and met their conditions, yet cannot be released because courts are not sitting,” said Nwaugo.
He urged JUSUN in Abia to reopen the courts, arguing that Abia State government has addressed most of their demands.
Nwaugo noted that Abia State judiciary workers are already enjoying financial autonomy, as according to him, the Chief Judge who is the head of the judiciary in the state has not publicly complained about financial issues.
Reacting, Abia State Chairman of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Chinedu Ezeh, said Victor Nwaugo was speaking like an agent of the Abia State government and not as an independent lawyer, or a man of truth.
In this article