Gombe Gov commits to Judiciary workers autonomy
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, has reiterated his administration’s willingness to implement the financial autonomy of Judicial workers.
Yahaya made this disclosure on Tuesday, when state branch of Nigerian Bar Association [NBA], joined Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria [JUSUN], in a protest to the Government House.
The governor also assured that he would look into their demands.
Represented by Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Secretary to Gombe State Government [SSG] he lauded the support of workers in the dispensation of Justice in the state.
While assuring of government’s commitment to grant autonomy, adding that he would give necessary approvals.
He said, “The Governor is mindful of the democracy we operate that lies on the three tiers of; The Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.
“Yes, the Constitution has spelt this out but then the funding component has some problems because certain portion comes from Federal government so if it is not appropriated there is nothing the State can do.
“The State may be willing to give you some portion of it. He has assured that he is with you 100 percent in your agitation.”
Also, Barr. Haruna Yelma, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Gombe State branch, revealed that hundreds of millions have been lost to the strike by both the state and litigants.
“On each each in Gombe, we used to have between 300 to 400 cases in all the courts.
“So you can estimate it; we have been on strike for more than 2 weeks we can say we have lost more than 1000 cases.
“In each week, if you count the cases from the lower court, magistrate, high court, federal high court we can 400 -500 cases,” Yelma said.
He added, “The strike has not only hampered cases but has affected the enforcement of fundamental human rights of citizens.
“Assuming you are in correctional facility and you await judgement that will set you free which I know there are many judgement that were supposed to set some accused persons free but that has not been done.
“You see the fundamental rights of those citizens have been affected and if you are in business you realize the business can not be enforced. Just within Gombe we have lost 100 of millions of Naira due to the strike commercially due.”
On his part, JUSUN State Chairman, Barr. Bako Babangida, said the essence of the protest was to draw the attention of Government to their plight.
He said, “We are convinced that it will be implemented by God’s grace, the result was positive.
“I can’t talk about other states what I know is that in my own State [Gombe], whatever the Governor says he will do it.”
Pictures credit: Barr. Usamatu Abubakar
