(NIGERIA) The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye has decried the shutting down of courts in the state following the industrial action embarked upon by the judicial workers across the country.
The judicial workers, under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, had since Monday commenced an indefinite strike to protest the non-compliance of state governments to a judgement upholding independence and financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
But Ipaye, while stating that Lagos State was favourably disposed to the autonomy of the judiciary and welfare of its judicial officers, said it was unfair that Lagos courts would be shut in spite of the government’s commitment to the well being of the judiciary.
The justice commissioner spoke on Wednesday in the Epe area of the state where some newly built courtrooms were being commissioned and handed over to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade.
According to Ipaye, Lagos was not only known for supporting judiciary autonomy, but also for consistently exceeding the national standards in terms of judges’ welfare, remuneration and working conditions.
“It is unfortunate that despite our unstinting efforts in this regard, we are caught up in industrial negotiations and a national strike of which we had no part,” Ipaye said, while noting that the strike and closure of courts in the state was taking a toll on lawyers, litigants and others citizens.
He restated the commitment of the state to judiciary autonomy but pointed out that there were some grey areas in its mode of implementation that had to be addressed. http://www.punchng.com/news/lagos-not-against-judiciary-autonomy-ipaye/
No comments:
Post a Comment