News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

Nigeria: Ibori, Igbinedion Granted Bail while National Judiciary Officers Remain on Strike

2 comments

Posted by: Oluwole Akindutire on February 13, 2008 Under: Community Report, Discussion Lounge



Oluwole reports from Port Harcourt, Nigeria:

From the 4th February till today Courts in Nigeria have been under lock and key as a result of a strike embarked upon by the National Judiciary workers. The striking officials are agitating for better salaries and other welfare packages. Membership of the National Judiciary Workers includes all workers in the judicial system in the country with the exception of Judges and Magistrates.

The strike was still in force when the Federal High Court sitting at Kaduna granted Chief James Ibori bail and another Federal High Court sitting at Enugu granted Chief Lucky Igbinedion bail. An attempt to withdraw from the strike action by the Rivers State Judiciary was frustrated; repeated radio broadcast was made yesterday directing all striking staff to resume work today, however this morning the court rooms remained locked with both judiciary staff and judicial officers (judges and magistrates) staying away from work, the action of the Federal Courts seemed to have undermined the seriousness of the nationwide strike and the bails granted seem to suggest that Justice will always be available to those who can afford it.

Related posts:

  1. Nigeria: Celebration Follows Inauguration of Opposition Governor in Edo State
  2. Former Chadian President to Face Trial in Senegal
  3. The law courts are charting a new course for Nigerian democracy
  4. Nigerian Top Legislator Worries about Colleagues’ Poor Work Attitude
  5. Nigeria: “There is every reason to be thankful”
  6. Siemens Bribery Scandal: Nigerian Ministers and Senator on the List
  7. Nigeria: Rights Groups Criticize Firing of Former Anti-Graft Chief
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Muti This Muti This

2 comment(s)

  1. Misi | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply

    What is the State minimum wage now? N5500? That is nothing compared to the cost of living anywhere in Nigeria. I’m sure these workers are not getting much more than that. Now to the real juice am a little confused about this story. Can someone please tell me the connection between the strike and the bails that were granted?

  2. wole | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply

    N7,500 is minimum wage. The connection between the strike and the bail? THISDAY newspaper reported yesterday that the striking workers in Enugu had to open the Gate of the court premises to Hon Justice Faji “out of respect for him” that he may deliver his ruling granting bail to Igbinedion. Usually when a strike is called the courts do not sit, all cases stand adjourned till the strike is called off. There was no urgency in the 2 bails granted, none of them was sick, infact the judge in Kaduna disagreed with the submission by Ibori’s counsel that his client was sick when he said Ibori does not look sick to him; in spite of the strike the 2 courts were opened for bail to be granted and set at N50m to be deposited with the court in Ibori’s case, this money was paid by eminent Nigerians (one of whom is Chief Sunny Okogwu brother to Maryam Babangida)within 24 hours while Igbinedion was asked to deposit N10m and it was paid that same day! It is very unusual in our criminal jurisprudence to pay money as a precondition for bail to be granted. Surely there seem to be more than meets the eye in the matter of the 2 bails granted

Post a comment