…As NLC Spoils for War with Edo Govt

Edo State judiciary workers under the auspices of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Monday, locked out workers of the State House of Assembly over plans to repeal the financial autonomy laws of both the judiciary and legislature.

The judicial workers blocked the entrance gate of the State Assembly complex with placards, demanding an end to the planned repeal of the financial autonomy laws.

Last week, the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly proposed two bills titled: “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, the Speaker of the Assembly, Idaiye Yekini, explained that the use of the word “repeal” was an error, saying what the lawmakers intended was to amend the laws.

He said the plan was to establish an agency to ensure accountability and proper execution of projects under the autonomy arrangement.

The Chairman of Edo JUSUN, Comrade Orien Charles, said the protest was to demand that the lawmakers withdraw the proposed bills.

Orien said any plan to repeal or amend the financial autonomy laws amounted to an attempt to undermine the autonomy of both institutions.

He said the judiciary workers had spent 10 years fighting for financial autonomy and would not allow it to be reversed.
According to him: “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 and that they wanted to amend it.

“We found out that the amendment and the repeal are the same thing. They want to take away the autonomy. During the course of the amendment, they will take away the autonomy and bring in another law that will not suit the judiciary and the House of Assembly.

“We will not accept it because we suffered for it for 10 years before we got it. We will not agree. We are here to see the Speaker. What the Speaker says will determine our next line of action.

“We pray the Speaker listens to us. We want them to stop everything. We don’t need repeal; we don’t need amendment.

“They are not sincere. We are here fighting for autonomy, but the Assembly workers are there looking at us.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Council, on Monday reaffirmed its support for resistance to any attempt to repeal or amend the Edo State Judiciary and House of Assembly financial autonomy laws.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Benin City, said the NLC would resist any attempt by the Edo State House of Assembly to tamper with the Edo State House of Assembly and Judiciary Autonomy Law, 2021.

Igbafen said the Caretaker Committee of the Edo State Council of the NLC had declared full solidarity with the Edo State chapter of JUSUN in its ongoing protest.

The statement read in part:
“In the days ahead, all progressive affiliate unions of the NLC in Edo State shall be mobilized to stand shoulder to shoulder with JUSUN and other critical stakeholders.

“We will sustain this peaceful resistance should there be any attempt to gamble with the autonomy law.”

The council reminded the Edo State House of Assembly that “the Supreme Court of Nigeria spoke unequivocally in 2022 when it nullified Executive Order 10 and upheld the autonomy of state legislatures and judiciaries.

In doing so, the Court affirmed Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees financial independence for both arms of government at the state level.”

The Edo NLC stressed that any attempt to repeal or tamper with the State Autonomy Law of 2021 would amount to a direct assault on the principle of separation of powers.

The council further warned:
“No society can thrive where justice is caged, and where the temple of justice is made to bow before the executive.”

Igbafen added, “Therefore, the Edo State Council of the NLC calls on the Edo State House of Assembly to heed the voice of reason and wisdom.

“Let it depart from any illusion of amending this law and instead embrace people-oriented legislation that strengthens democracy, protects institutions, and secures justice for all Edo people.”

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