The ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, (JUSUN) in Anambra State may affect the sitting of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in the state.

The strike started since February and may rob the tribunal the support staff of the state judiciary to operate optimally, particularly in the area of logistics.

Worried by the strike, and to ensure a hitch free sitting of the tribunal devoid of any disruption, the state government set up a committee, headed by the deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, to resolve the dispute.

It was, however, gathered that an agreement could not be reached between government and the JUSUN union after meeting with the deputy governor at his office in Awka on Monday.

It was also learnt that the six state branches of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, last week in Onitsha held a meeting with members of JUSUN and the NBA, calling on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, release the capital and overhead costs for the first quarter of the year to JUSUN.

Chairman of the Onitsha branch of NBA, Mr. Chukwudi Obieze, brokered the peace meeting.

Agreements reached at the meeting included: “That the state should commence release of the capital and overhead costs; and that the judiciary should notify the state, when E-Payment platform for the workers would be ready.”

However, based on the agreed terms, NBA called on JUSUN to call off the strike, but as at yesterday, the state Judiciary headquarters was still under lock and key except for the Chief Judge office, which had skeletal staff and security available.

According to a Judiciary staff, who spoke under anonymity, they were yet to resume work because the government is yet to keep its side of the agreement.

Officials of the tribunal could not say if they could go on with the sitting without the assistance of the state judiciary, even though it is sitting at the state High Court premises in Awka.

•Photo shows JUSUN

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