Members of the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bars Association, (NBA) have been refused entrance to the Edo State Government House in Benin City.
The lawyers who were on a solidarity march with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike over financial autonomy, had assembled as early as 8.00 am at the Lion Bar, Benin City, and marched peacefully to the Government House.
On getting to the gate, they were refused entrance by security personnel on duty.
Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the branch NBA chairman, Pius Oiwoh said the lawyers were on a mission to deliver a consolidatory letter to the governor as directed by the president of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Olumide Akpata.
The national leadership of NBA had directed that all the 36 states march in solidarity with JUSUN and deliver a consolidatory letter in support of the quest for Judiciary workers financial autonomy.
Oiwoh said: “We want to ensure that the provision of section 121, subsection 53 of the1999 constitution as amended comes to fruition.
“The president of the NBA, Olumide Akpata has directed us to stage a solidarity walk with JUSUN, who is also on a nationwide strike over the refusal of state executives to respect the independence of the judiciary.
“He also directed that the 36 states of NBA do a consolidation letter to the governors and based on this we went to the Edo state government house but were refused access by security men on duty.
“I don’t want to believe that His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State didn’t order what happened and by this, we have assured them that we will be here by next Monday.”
JUSUN had gone on a nationwide strike on the 6th of April to protest what it termed subjugating and emasculating of the judiciary and years of financial strangulation.
It also held a nationwide peaceful protest Monday, 19th April in furtherance of its demand for the 36 states to implement financial autonomy.
