Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu a PDP leader and also one of the PDP governorship aspirants in Edo state speaks on the current face-off between the judicial workers in the state and the state government.
“I had deliberately refrained from commenting on the protracted crisis between Edo State Judiciary workers and the State government that has led to the closure of the courts for over six months. The judicial system has ground to a halt and we know that justice delayed is justice denied. Many innocent persons who were inadvertently detained are languishing in prison because their application for bail cannot be heard. Lawyers have almost become jobless as there is no State court open to ply their trade. Issues requiring urgent judicial attention have been jettisoned and claimants now explore the option of self help in conflict resolution.
In a country where everything is politicised, advise no matter how objective or constructive can be misconstrued and become a basis for blackmail and name-calling. We cannot however, because of this uncouth culture shy away from a problem that is fast bringing the State to disrepute. What are the issues responsible for this judicial impasse and why till now has it not been resolved? The judicial workers are agitating for financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government. The governor as head of the executive arm is not ready to accede to this demand and rather than both sides to sit on the negotiating table and work out acceptable terms of agreement, they have stubbornly maintained their positions and the face-off remains. It is sad that this conflict has been allowed to fester without our elder statesmen, traditional and religious leaders intervening to bring peace. When two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. The grass in this case is not just the judicial arm but the people of Edo State who regard the judiciary as their last hope for readdressing wrongs and obtaining justice.
Some years ago when the NLC and the JNC announced their intention to embark on a full fledged industrial action against the State government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, I had to personally intervene in the dispute and was able to resolve in one night of meeting, a strike that could have crippled the affairs of the State. I remember with amusement the comrade governor telling his comrade union leaders that it was embarrassing that a non comrade, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was the one who had to mediate to bring them together to resolve their differences. We call on all men and women of goodwill in the State to invite the warring parties to a round table conference where the issues can be amicably resolved.
That we need a vibrant and well funded judiciary in the State cannot be overemphasized. Apart from a good working environment, judicial workers need to be protected and motivated as custodians of our temple of justice. In Lagos, judges no longer need to engage in the torturous and old fashioned practice of writing down verbatim proceedings in their courts. Recording machines have been installed by government in their courts to do this job which they can play back at their leisure. The same government builds residential houses in choice areas which are handed over to the judges as their personal property as a form of motivation and a disincentive to corrupt practices. On being sworn in as a judge, they are given two cars that consist of a jeep, as an official vehicle and a smaller car for their private outings. These cars are bought in their personal names. Do these incentives apply in Edo State?
I am embarrassed when I drive past the official residence of the Edo State Chief judge in G.R.A, Benin City and behold the uncompleted or abandoned edifice. I am shocked to see magistrates who sentence criminals to jail entering taxis to work because they have no official vehicles. Lagos State government has revolutionalised judicial adjudication by operating the multi door court house system. Contentious issues can be resolved through litigation, arbitration or mediation. Judges can assign or parties can request that disputes be resolved through these judicial doors thereby saving parties the time and resources they might have wasted on long drawn cases. The courts are purposely built to reflect the multi door system and a lot of young lawyers have been employed as admin officers. The atmosphere is conducive and tea and biscuits are served to contesting parties and their legal representatives. The system is fast and efficient. Can we not practice this system in Edo State?
Sacking the judicial workers and employing new ones is not the solution to a fundamental problem. The judiciary is the third arm of government and must be well funded to carry out their onerous responsibilities. While the executive and legislative arms of government are dominated by elective persons who might not be truly competent to discharge their functions, the judiciary is manned by well qualified professionals who are thoroughly assessed before appointment and so deserve more respect and considerations from the other two arms of government. I appeal to the State government to dialogue with the striking workers and resolve this dispute. I implore the judicial workers to resume work even if all their grievances are not addressed. They have made their point and sooner or later their demands will be met.” #The Future is now.
“I had deliberately refrained from commenting on the protracted crisis between Edo State Judiciary workers and the State government that has led to the closure of the courts for over six months. The judicial system has ground to a halt and we know that justice delayed is justice denied. Many innocent persons who were inadvertently detained are languishing in prison because their application for bail cannot be heard. Lawyers have almost become jobless as there is no State court open to ply their trade. Issues requiring urgent judicial attention have been jettisoned and claimants now explore the option of self help in conflict resolution.
In a country where everything is politicised, advise no matter how objective or constructive can be misconstrued and become a basis for blackmail and name-calling. We cannot however, because of this uncouth culture shy away from a problem that is fast bringing the State to disrepute. What are the issues responsible for this judicial impasse and why till now has it not been resolved? The judicial workers are agitating for financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government. The governor as head of the executive arm is not ready to accede to this demand and rather than both sides to sit on the negotiating table and work out acceptable terms of agreement, they have stubbornly maintained their positions and the face-off remains. It is sad that this conflict has been allowed to fester without our elder statesmen, traditional and religious leaders intervening to bring peace. When two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. The grass in this case is not just the judicial arm but the people of Edo State who regard the judiciary as their last hope for readdressing wrongs and obtaining justice.
Some years ago when the NLC and the JNC announced their intention to embark on a full fledged industrial action against the State government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, I had to personally intervene in the dispute and was able to resolve in one night of meeting, a strike that could have crippled the affairs of the State. I remember with amusement the comrade governor telling his comrade union leaders that it was embarrassing that a non comrade, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was the one who had to mediate to bring them together to resolve their differences. We call on all men and women of goodwill in the State to invite the warring parties to a round table conference where the issues can be amicably resolved.
That we need a vibrant and well funded judiciary in the State cannot be overemphasized. Apart from a good working environment, judicial workers need to be protected and motivated as custodians of our temple of justice. In Lagos, judges no longer need to engage in the torturous and old fashioned practice of writing down verbatim proceedings in their courts. Recording machines have been installed by government in their courts to do this job which they can play back at their leisure. The same government builds residential houses in choice areas which are handed over to the judges as their personal property as a form of motivation and a disincentive to corrupt practices. On being sworn in as a judge, they are given two cars that consist of a jeep, as an official vehicle and a smaller car for their private outings. These cars are bought in their personal names. Do these incentives apply in Edo State?
I am embarrassed when I drive past the official residence of the Edo State Chief judge in G.R.A, Benin City and behold the uncompleted or abandoned edifice. I am shocked to see magistrates who sentence criminals to jail entering taxis to work because they have no official vehicles. Lagos State government has revolutionalised judicial adjudication by operating the multi door court house system. Contentious issues can be resolved through litigation, arbitration or mediation. Judges can assign or parties can request that disputes be resolved through these judicial doors thereby saving parties the time and resources they might have wasted on long drawn cases. The courts are purposely built to reflect the multi door system and a lot of young lawyers have been employed as admin officers. The atmosphere is conducive and tea and biscuits are served to contesting parties and their legal representatives. The system is fast and efficient. Can we not practice this system in Edo State?
Sacking the judicial workers and employing new ones is not the solution to a fundamental problem. The judiciary is the third arm of government and must be well funded to carry out their onerous responsibilities. While the executive and legislative arms of government are dominated by elective persons who might not be truly competent to discharge their functions, the judiciary is manned by well qualified professionals who are thoroughly assessed before appointment and so deserve more respect and considerations from the other two arms of government. I appeal to the State government to dialogue with the striking workers and resolve this dispute. I implore the judicial workers to resume work even if all their grievances are not addressed. They have made their point and sooner or later their demands will be met.” #The Future is now.
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