NBA Gives Abia State 14 Days to Grant Judiciary Financial Autonomy

The Nigerian Bar Association has given Abia State’s government two weeks to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary or face a lawyer‑led protest. This follows a stalled 2023 agreement that the union says remains binding.

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Abia State began a strike on March 16, 2026, citing non‑payment of salaries and benefits owed to court workers. The union points to a memorandum of understanding signed on June 14, 2023, between the state government and JUSUN, which it says guarantees financial independence for the judiciary.

Despite repeated requests from the NBA’s five local branches, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has not responded to a letter dated April 1, 2026, seeking a meeting.

Financial autonomy means the judiciary can manage its own budget without executive interference, a principle enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. Advocates argue that direct funding reduces delays and enhances judicial efficiency.

The NBA issued a 14‑day ultimatum to the Abia State government to resolve the JUSUN strike. The association demands that the state grant financial autonomy to its judiciary immediately. The June 14, 2023 MOU between the government and JUSUN remains binding on both parties.

If the government complies, funds would flow directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the judiciary’s accounts, potentially ending the strike and restoring normal court operations. Failure to meet the deadline could trigger a coordinated protest by lawyers across Abia’s five bar branches, increasing public pressure on the administration. Observers note that the standoff tests the state’s commitment to constitutional provisions on judicial independence. Legal experts warn that prolonged strikes can erode public trust in the justice system and lead to case backlogs. They also note that any protest by lawyers could be subject to public order regulations.

Observers will watch whether the Abia State executive meets the NBA’s demand within the two‑week window or faces a lawyer‑led demonstration that could disrupt legal services further.