Judiciary Autonomy, Non-Negotiable. Senate Tells Govs

 

The Senate on Monday called on the 36 State Governors of the federation to as a matter of important grant full autonomy to the judiciary arm.

Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters made the passionate call while responding to questions from reporters today in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The Senator representing Ekiti South stated that it is shameful at this stage of our democracy and national development to be grappling with judicial autonomy.

You will recall that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had earlier declared an industrial action that is yet to be called off in a bid to compel Governors to obey “Executive Order 10” which granted autonomy to judiciary in the country.

While reacting to questions, Opeyemi said,
“This subject matter is laughable, the National Assembly has been making laws that would guarantee full autonomy to the judiciary at the Federal level.

“The National Assembly does not make laws for the States, such power resides in the State Houses of Assembly for domestication

“Judiciary at the Federal Capital Territory is independent because we have done the needful and we expect the State Assembly to follow suit.”

Bamidele further stated that, its committee decided not to make any attempt to stop the protesting workers/Union as principle and policy.

He said, “We do not want protests but definitely, we would rather talk more to State Governors, Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders to do the needful in the overriding public interest.

“We cannot continue to call on the judiciary to give peace a chance when we know the conditions under which they work cannot guarantee a passionate and enhanced delivery of justice.

“Nobody stands to lose anything by granting independence to judiciary at the state level since it has been done at the national level.

“That workers and staff of federal judiciary are joining the protest is only in solidarity with their colleagues at the state levels.

“It is a union matter and we do not have a control over it”.

Bamidele on a final note called on the State Governors to do the needful for the autonomy of the judiciary is non- negotiable.