Wike  Threatens To Enforce No Work, No Pay On Striking Judicial Workers 

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has warned that if the State chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) fails to call of its strike by the end of this month, the government would have no option but to implement the prevailing law on no-work, no-pay.

He has reiterated that there was no basis for the State chapter of JUSUN to have joined the protracted national strike as the issues in contention do not apply at all to the State where judiciary enjoy financial autonomy and much improved staff welfare.

He spoke  at the special court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, in Port Harcourt,where he explained that the state is not unaware of the so-called agreement among the Federal Government, the Governors Forum and JUSUN on the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislative branches  in  the country.

He said:“We would therefore neither set up any new implementation Committee because it’s simply unnecessary, nor allow the State’s judiciary to submit its budget directly to the State House of Assembly in breach of extant fiscal policies and regulations that regulate the state’s budgeting process.”

He carpeted the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for instigating unnecessary tension in the state over the appointment of a Chief Judge.

He also punctured the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for making misguided noises on gender equality because a woman was not recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.

He said:“Apart from the basic qualifications, sound character, ability to lead and work harmoniously with colleagues, hard work and willingness to take on challenging cases without a penchant for returning files for reassignment on flimsy excuses are some of accepted dispositional requirements for such very important appointment.

“At any rate, the State Judicial Service Commission could not have recommended a judicial officer who has become notorious for returning casefiles for reassignment on flimsy excuses to the prime position of Chief Judge.

“No one should have expected the State’s Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as Chief Judge a judicial officer who had promised to reopen disciplinary cases already dealt with and reinstate persons duly disciplined for corrupt practices and abuse of office.

“And no one could have convinced the State Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as a Chief Judge a judicial officer who had promised to work with the political opposition to make the upcoming political transition process very turbulent and difficult for the State.”