The Abia State Government has rejected the threat by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to stage a protest over the ongoing strike by judiciary workers in the state, insisting that significant progress has already been made to resolve the dispute.
The disagreement follows an earlier warning by chairmen of the NBA in Abia State, who said lawyers in the state could be mobilised for a demonstration if the strike by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is not quickly addressed. The NBA leaders also accused the state government of ignoring their request for a meeting with Governor Alex Otti and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna.
However, the state government has denied the claims and said the NBA may not be fully informed about the current state of negotiations with judiciary workers.
Speaking in Umuahia on Thursday, the Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said most of the issues raised by JUSUN had already been addressed.
According to Ememanka, one of the main causes of the strike was the issue of leave allowance for judiciary workers. He explained that the government had maintained that workers on consolidated salary structures already have leave allowance included in their pay.
“One of the key issues that led to this strike was leave allowance. Our position has always been that workers who earn consolidated salaries already have leave allowance built into their earnings. During the discussions, JUSUN also came to agree with this position,” he said.
The government further stated that the matter of financial autonomy, another major demand by judiciary workers, had largely been resolved in the state. Ememanka noted that the judicial arm already enjoys a level of independence, especially in the management of its funds.
He explained that the Chief Judge of the state, who heads the judiciary, is responsible for deciding how funds allocated to the judiciary are used. This, he said, shows that the principle of financial autonomy is being followed.
The issue of financial autonomy for the judiciary has been a long-standing concern across Nigeria. JUSUN has, in several states, pushed for full independence of the judiciary from the executive arm, especially in matters of funding. The union argues that such independence is necessary to strengthen democracy and ensure justice is delivered without interference.
In Abia State, however, the government insists that the system already in place respects the separation of powers. Ememanka pointed out that matters such as employment, promotion, payment, and retirement of judiciary workers are handled by the Abia State Judiciary Service Commission, not the executive arm of government.
“This shows clearly that the executive does not control the judiciary in these areas,” he added.
On the allegation that the governor and the Attorney-General ignored the NBA’s request for a meeting, the government said this was not true. It maintained that communication channels remain open and that efforts to resolve the strike are ongoing.
The strike by JUSUN has affected court activities in Abia State, leading to delays in legal proceedings and causing concern among lawyers, litigants, and the general public. Courts have remained largely closed, making it difficult for cases to be heard and resolved.
The NBA, as the main body representing lawyers in Nigeria, has often taken an active role in issues affecting the judiciary. Its members in Abia State say the continued closure of courts is unacceptable and have warned that a peaceful protest may be necessary to draw attention to the situation.
Despite these concerns, the Abia State Government has urged patience, saying that negotiations with JUSUN are yielding results. Officials expressed confidence that the strike would soon be called off as both sides continue discussions.
For many residents of Abia State, the hope is that both the government and judiciary workers will reach a final agreement soon, allowing courts to reopen and normal activities to resume.