By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
Coalition of Osun Civil Societies have tasked the Chief Judge of Osun State and the Judiciary Staff Union in the State to genuinely commit to peaceful resolution of the ongoing industrial action in the judiciary in the state to allow residents access to judicial service.
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman , Waheed Lawal, on Sunday disclosed that the strike the union embarked on since September 19 does not profit stakeholders in the judicial sector.
While acknowledging the legitimate demands of judiciary workers for improved welfare, promotions, and professional development, the OCSC equally emphasises the sacred duty of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“The continued closure of courts not only undermines access to justice but also inflicts hardship on citizens awaiting trial, litigants, lawyers, and other stakeholders in Osun State.
“As a coalition devoted to good governance, transparency, and justice, our primary concern is to ensure a fair, inclusive, and lasting resolution that preserves the integrity of the judiciary and guarantees that the rights of all parties are not infringed upon”, the group stated.
While calling on the Honourable Chief Judge of the State, the Judicial Service Commission and JUSUN to return to roundtable for negotiations, OCSC offered to mediate and observe the process with a view to ensuring objective negotiations.
It reads further, “We therefore, call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Osun State, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and the leadership of JUSUN to immediately return to the negotiation table in compliance with Sections 4–9 of the Trade Disputes Act, which outline the procedures for voluntary mediation, conciliation, and, where necessary, reference to the Industrial Arbitration Panel.
“We Urged the Osun State Government and the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo Branch, to provide moral and administrative support for a neutral mediation platform, in accordance with Section 5(2) of the Trade Disputes Act, aimed at restoring industrial harmony within the judiciary.
“We affirm that the Osun Civil Societies Coalition is ready to serve as an observer, facilitator, or mediator whenever both sides are willing to engage in constructive dialogue, as permitted under Section 9 of the Trade Disputes Act, which recognises the involvement of neutral civic bodies in dispute resolution.
“In the spirit of democratic accountability, OCSC wishes to state clearly that if, within the next seven (7) days from the date of this statement, both parties fail to commence meaningful dialogue or make visible progress toward resolving the industrial action, the Coalition will have no choice but to escalate the matter to higher authorities”.
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