Autonomy: Judicial workers lock out Edo Assembly workers

Judiciary workers in Edo State, under the banner of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), staged a protest by locking the gates of the Edo State House of Assembly. Their action was a direct response to proposed bills aimed at repealing the financial autonomy laws for both the judiciary and the legislature.

Last week, Majority Leader Sunday Ojezele reportedly introduced two bills: "A bill to repeal the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023" and "A bill to repeal the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Law, 2023." However, Speaker Idaiye Yekini later clarified that the term 'repeal' was a mistake and that the intention was to amend the existing laws. He explained that the proposed amendments would establish an agency to ensure accountability and proper project execution under the autonomy framework.

“

We are here because of our financial autonomy. The House of Assembly, last week, wanted to repeal the financial autonomy for the judiciary. After agitation. They said it was an error that they wanted to do an amendment. We find out that the amendment and the repeal are the same thing.

Edo JUSUN Chairman Orien Charles stated that the protest was a demand for the lawmakers to discard the proposed bill. He expressed strong opposition to any move to repeal or amend the financial autonomy laws, asserting that such actions would effectively end the autonomy for both institutions. "We are here because of our financial autonomy. The House of Assembly, last week, wanted to repeal the financial autonomy for the judiciary. After agitation. They said it was an error that they wanted to do an amendment. We find out that the amendment and the repeal are the same thing," Charles explained.

Charles emphasized the decade-long struggle for financial autonomy, stating, "We suffered for it for 10 years before we got it. We will not agree." He added that the proposed amendment would lead to the removal of autonomy and the introduction of a new law detrimental to the judiciary and the House of Assembly. The union awaits the Speaker's response to determine their next course of action, urging them to halt all legislative proceedings related to the matter.

“

We will not accept it because we suffered for it for 10 years before we got it. We will not agree.