Former National Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Victor Nwaugo, has raised alarm over the devastating impact of the ongoing Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, strike in Abia.
He warned that the nearly two-month shutdown is inflicting severe hardship on litigants, inmates, and legal practitioners.
Speaking with journalists, Nwaugo described the industrial action as a major disruption to justice delivery, noting that lawyers who rely on daily court sittings for income are among the worst hit.
“I’m deeply concerned and personally affected,” he said.
“Private lawyers who survive on court sittings are losing income, while ordinary citizens are subjected to needless hardship.”
Nwaugo stressed that beyond economic losses, the strike is crippling access to justice with grave consequences for those trapped 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.
He urged JUSUN to reconsider the strike, arguing that 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 judicial autonomy, Nwaugo questioned the basis of the union’s 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.
The senior lawyer also faulted five of six NBA branch chairmen in the state who recently threatened to join the strike if the impasse persists, 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.
“A few chairmen cannot unilaterally take a decision on behalf of hundreds of lawyers. That is not binding,” Nwaugo explained.
He cautioned that such threats 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.
It is recalled that the strike began on March 15, over demands including leave allowance.
However, the Abia State Government insists the benefit is already captured in the judiciary’s consolidated salary structure.
It challenged JUSUN to provide evidence to the contrary, promising to settle the claim within 48 hours if proven.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN), had accused the union of embarking on strike without submitting payroll details to justify its claim.
He maintained that existing records show leave bonus is part of judiciary workers’ emoluments, adding that similar workers under the consolidated structure do not receive separate leave allowances.
Uwanna also raised concerns over JUSUN’s refusal to participate in an ongoing staff verification exercise, warning that the move is delaying pension payments.
He stressed that it could also allow irregularities like ghost workers to persist.
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.
When contacted, Abia JUSUN Chairman, Mr Chinedu Ezeh, dismissed Nwaugo’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 would ultimately 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 government claims that leave allowances are embedded in salaries, Ezeh countered: “They are being economical with the truth. We have repeatedly asked for evidence, but none has been provided.”
