Anambra Chief Judge backs JUSUN over demand for improved working conditions

The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, yesterday, threw his weight behind the demands of the state branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, calling on the state attorney general, the Head of Service and the state government to come to terms with the workers’ demands.
Delivering his address during a court session to mark the commencement of the 2015/2016 legal year, Umeadi observed that the demands of JUSUN were borne out of an earlier agreement entered into between them and the state government.
He said: “We have every reason to support the JUSUN in Anambra State in their quest to achieve the long–drawn and much debated issue of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Scale, CONJUSS, -based emoluments.
“I remember that in 2011 soon after I became the Chief Judge, I had the privilege of assisting to reach a harmonious resolution of the issues between JUSUN and the Anambra State government represented by the Head of Service at the time wherein they reached agreements to revisit the implementation of CONJUSS.
“The demands of Anambra State JUSUN were, therefore, borne from agreements entered into with Anambra State government in 2011, which are legitimate, feasible and achievable.
“We agree with the communique of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, at the national level that the judiciary is a peculiar arm of government. It is not correct to muddle issues with other interests when the CONJUSS, which is backed by law and requisite regulations, are raised.
“The judiciary, therefore, encourages the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Head of Service and the government of Anambra State to come to terms quickly with JUSUN on this clear matter.”
However, the state Attorney General, Mr. Anali Chude argued that there was no justification for JUSUN to continue to be on strike, adding that having been granted judiciary autonomy by the state government five months ago, it was expected that they should settle down to work, while pushing for other demands.

Photo:Chief Registrar of Anambra High court of Justice,ND Ezeani Esq right behind Registrar of Customary court of Appeal Chief Registrar K. N Nwoye Esq