OWERRI—Scores of litigants and their lawyers went
home disappointed yesterday, following the indefinite
industrial action by the Imo State leadership of the
Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.

The aggrieved workers downed tools as a result of what
they termed “the apparent unwillingness of Imo State
Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to comply with the
ruling of the Federal High Court judgment on the financial
autonomy of the judiciary”.

According to the release by the leadership of the body,
JUSUN explained their action stemmed from the State
Government’s inability to respond to legitimate
demands.

In declaring the indefinite industrial action, the union
directed “all the offices of the courts and the State
Judicial Service Commission, to remain under lock and
key, until further notice”.

When Vanguard visited the State High Court premises,
Owerri, at about 10am yesterday, the judicial workers
completely deserted their offices, while the litigants were
seen in groups bemoaning their plight.

One of the lawyers, who spoke to Vanguard on strict
grounds of anonymity, lamented that “the indefinite
industrial action would further worsen the bad situation
in Imo Judiciary”.

According to the lawyer, “the courts are currently
congested due to lack of adequate number of judges to
adjudicate over the numerous matters”, adding that even
those awaiting trial would simply remain in jail, until the
labour crisis was resolved.

Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly was locked up
yesterday by the aggrieved workers, over their five
months arrears of salaries and allowances.

The workers, who were acting on the umbrella union of
Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN,
appealed to the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. V.
Obinna, to intervene on their behalf.

They told the Archbishop that their pains were
excruciating and wondered why the governor was
threatening to transfer them, not just away from the
Assembly, but into the rural communities as
punishment.

All efforts to get the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary,
Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, to speak on the matter failed, as
his line could not be reached before press time.

TonyeBarcanista:
When you guys voted the fat clown into power you didn't realise that he was bereft of leadership ideas. Rochas is a great curse to South East Nigeria

DeWisedon:
i regretted not only voting for rochas,but campaigning for him.im reaally disapointed in dat man.Iheanacho would have been better

mrjangaweed:
MizMyColi