September 18, 2025 | Enugu
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Enugu State Branch, has declared that its prolonged industrial action has finally achieved its intended goal with the formal establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC), a milestone the union says cements judicial autonomy in the state.
GMTNewsng had exclusively broken the news of the suspension of the strike, which had disrupted court activities across the state for weeks, paving the way for the union’s official confirmation on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Enugu, today, JUSUN Chairman, Comrade Sampson Ifedimma, said the decision to suspend the strike was never for personal benefit, political interests, or frivolous demands, but rather a principled struggle for the independence of the judiciary in line with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s public commitment to judicial autonomy.
According to him, the creation of SAAC is “not only a historic milestone but also incontrovertible proof that His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, genuinely intended to actualize judicial autonomy in Enugu State and that goal has now been successfully achieved.”
Ifedimma commended the governor and members of his administration for the civility, diplomacy, and maturity deployed in their engagements with the union during the negotiations. He highlighted the roles of the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney-General, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, the Head of Service, and the Accountant-General, describing their conduct as “respectful, constructive, and solution-driven.”
He added that the outcome has reshaped the union’s perception of the administration and further confirmed its genuine commitment to democratic consolidation and the strengthening of the rule of law.
The JUSUN boss emphasized that the strike was never intended to paralyze the state but was a “noble quest for institutional freedom and democratic deepening.”
Full Text of the Press Briefing by Comrade Sampson Ifedimma, JUSUN Chairman, Enugu State Branch
Distinguished members of the press, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
In our earlier communiqué announcing the suspension of the strike, we made it clear that our action was never for personal gain, political manipulation, or frivolities. It was a principled struggle for the independence of the Judiciary in Enugu State, in line with the Governor’s public commitment to judicial autonomy.
Today Thursday, September 18, 2025, we can boldly declare that this struggle has yielded its greatest reward through the formal establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC). The creation of this Committee is not only a historic milestone but also an incontrovertible proof that His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, genuinely intended to actualize judicial autonomy in Enugu State and that goal has now been successfully achieved.
The SAAC constitutes the fulcrum upon which the edifice of judicial financial autonomy is anchored. By its very design, it guarantees transparency, accountability, and the direct allocation of funds to the Judiciary, thereby giving practical expression to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
I must also commend His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah and his team for the exceptional civility, diplomacy, and maturity with which they approached us as labour throughout this process. Contrary to our initial fears, at no point were we harassed or intimidated. From the Secretary to the State Government, to the Honourable Attorney-General, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, the Head of Service, the Accountant-General, and every member of the Government’s delegation. These men all demonstrated a high level of civility, and their engagements were respectful, constructive, and solution driven.
This outcome has reshaped our perception of the administration and further confirms its genuine commitment to democratic consolidation and the strengthening of the rule of law.
Our industrial action, therefore, was never an attempt to paralyze the State, but a noble quest for institutional freedom and democratic deepening. To the glory of God, it has ended in praise.
Thank you.
GMTNewsng
