The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday said he would resist any attempt by the state branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria to blackmail him with their call for financial autonomy for the judiciary.
Judiciary workers in the state have been on strike since January 2015 over what they described as the unwillingness of the state government to show commitment towards implementing the financial autonomy granted to the judiciary by a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 13.
The striking workers have also called for the payment of their June 2014 and January 2015 salaries, a demand they vowed would leave the state courts shut until it was addressed.
But Oshiomhole, who spoke during the swearing-in of members of the Judicial Service Commission at the Government House, said he would not surrender the authority of the state government to workers whom he said had chosen “to use union actions to canvass non-union issues.”
Members of the commission are Joe Iruafemi Ekpenkhio, Steve Odigie, Austin Omofuma and Yamah Mohammed.
The governor said it was only reasonable and sensible for government to put in place a formular that would guarantee the independence of judicial officers, adding that he remained committed to the cause.
Oshiomhole, while addressing members of the commission, said, “I think the state must resist blackmail as a matter of policy. Once blackmail is off the way, we have sufficient goodwill to solve this and other problems and I want to assure my Lord that this government, under my stewardship, will continue to respect the independence of the judiciary.
“It is not an act of favor; it is what the constitution dictates and it is also what makes sense and myself, being a beneficiary of a courageous judiciary, I will do nothing to weaken the capacity of the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favor. I ask you to take this for granted, it is unconditional and we will do everything to sustain it.”
The governor stated that his administration was not indebted to judiciary employees as they (judiciary workers) were paid promptly.
He, therefore, described the continuous closure of courts in the state as a sad development.
Oshiomhole said, “Let me use this opportunity ,my Lord as I am sure Edo people will appreciate that I am sad by the fact that our courts like some other courts in many parts of the country have remained closed for quite some time.
“I believe that this is completely unfortunate and I also believe that the said action that has grounded the judiciary in Edo State, as in several other states, is something that was completely avoidable.(Punch)
