Inmates awaiting trial in Sokoto State were stranded due to industrial action embarked upon by members of Nigeria’s Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN).
The strike action was to comply with the issued national body’s directives of JUSUN following the non-implementation of financial autonomy for state governments’ judiciary across the country.
It was observed after a visit to the State High Court, Federal High Court, and Court of Appeal in Sokoto that all the court’s gates were locked and keyed by the striking union.
The JUSUN Zonal Vice Chairman North West and state Chairman of the union, Abdulnasir Muhammad, describe the lockout as in compliance with the directives of the association’s national headquarter.
“Our action is following the failure of state governments to implement the provision as enclosed in Section 81(3) 121 (3) and 162 (9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“This is in furtherance of failure of the government to comply with the court order of Jan. 13, 2014, and the failure to comply with Executive Order 10 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Therefore, the indefinite strike will remain until the government complies with JUSUN’s request for financial autonomy that will enhance the workforce of judiciary workers in the country,” he disclosed.
The Chairman restated that the union demands full implementation of the judiciary’s financial autonomy by a presidential directive.
He called on union members to stay at home and awaits further directives from its national headquarter.
