By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — An Aba-based lawyer and former National Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Victor Nwaugo, has raised alarm over the crippling impact of the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Abia State, warning that the prolonged shutdown is inflicting severe hardship on litigants, inmates, and legal practitioners.

Speaking with Vanguard, Nwaugo described the nearly two-month-old industrial action as a major disruption to the justice system, noting that lawyers who depend on daily court appearances for livelihood are among the worst hit.

“I’m deeply concerned and personally affected,” he said, adding that “private lawyers who survive on court sittings are losing income, while ordinary citizens are subjected to needless hardship.”

He stressed that beyond economic losses, the strike is undermining access to justice, with grave consequences for individuals caught in the judicial process.

“People who should have regained their freedom remain in custody. Some have been granted bail and met their conditions, yet cannot be released because courts are not sitting.

“Others whose cases were adjourned are left in limbo. It’s a painful situation”, he lamented.

Nwaugo urged JUSUN to consider reopening the courts, arguing that ongoing negotiations with the state government have already addressed most of the union’s demands.

“From my findings, many of their concerns, including leave allowance, have largely been resolved. At this point, litigants are the ones suffering the most,” he noted.

On the issue of judicial autonomy, the senior lawyer questioned the basis of the agitation, pointing out that the Chief Judge, as head of the judiciary, has not publicly raised concerns.

“If there are issues with financial autonomy, the Chief Judge should be in the best position to speak.” he added.

Nwaugo also faulted the action of five out of six NBA branch chairmen in the state who recently threatened to join the strike if the impasse is not resolved, describing their stance as irregular and lacking due process.

“The NBA does not operate a state structure. What we have are independent branches. Any resolution must come from a properly convened meeting of members at the branch level,” he explained.

“A few chairmen cannot unilaterally take a decision on behalf of hundreds of lawyers. That is not binding.”

He cautioned that such actions risk escalating tensions rather than resolving the crisis.

“The role of the NBA should be to encourage dialogue, not to inflame the situation. At a time when both parties are close to agreement, it is wrong to introduce fresh threats,” he said.

The strike, which began over demands including leave allowance, has continued despite government’s insistence that such benefits are already embedded in the judiciary’s consolidated salary structure.

The state government had earlier challenged JUSUN to provide evidence that leave allowance is excluded from their pay, promising to settle the claim within 48 hours if proven.

Government also accused the union of failing to submit necessary payroll details and refusing to participate in a staff verification exercise aimed at addressing pension issues and eliminating irregularities.

As the standoff lingers, concerns continue to mount over the growing backlog of cases, prolonged detention of inmates, and the broader implications for justice delivery in the state.

Recall that JUSUN downed tools over demands for the leave allowance but Government has argued that leave allowance is already captured in the special salary structure which Judiciary workers are already enjoying.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN), accused the union of embarking on strike without submitting payroll details to justify its claim, noting that no documentation had been provided to prove their claims.

Uwanna maintained that existing records indicate leave bonus is part of judiciary workers’ emoluments and added that similar workers under the consolidated salary structure do not receive separate leave allowances.

He also raised concerns over JUSUN’s refusal to participate in an ongoing staff verification exercise, warning it is delaying pension payments and could allow irregularities like ghost workers to persist.

When contacted, the JUSUN Chairman in Abia State, Comrade Chinedu Ezeh, dismissed the lawyer’s position as biased, insisting that workers have an inalienable right to demand better welfare.

“He is entitled to his opinion, just as we are constitutionally empowered to protest for improved welfare and working conditions. His stance may be self-serving,” Ezeh said.

He maintained that the agitation was not only in the interest of judiciary workers but would also benefit lawyers and the general public.

“It is our constitutional right to protest when things are not right. The issues we are raising will ultimately benefit him, other lawyers, and even the ordinary man on the street,” he added.

On claims by the government that leave allowances are already embedded in workers’ salaries, the JUSUN boss also challenged authorities to provide proof.

“They are being economical with truth. We have repeatedly asked for evidence, but none has been provided,” he said.