BENIN CITY – Barring all odds, the long drawn battle between the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Edo State Government will be called off any moment from now following the intervention of some eminent citizens of Edo State
This is part of resolutions reached at a Stakeholders peace meeting convened by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City, Edo State yesterday.
The Chairman of the Peace meeting and Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief (Dr.) David U. Edebiri, OON who read the communiqué said JUSUN delegation to the peace meeting led by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Kayode lgbarago has undertaken to convince JUSUN Executive to convene an emergency State Congress to suspend the strike action to enable the mediation team complete its peace deal with the Edo State Government within the shortest possible time (Not later than one month). The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Henry ldahagbon was also at the peace meeting yesterday.
The mediation team were delegated to meet with the Edo State Comrade Governor on the main issues raised by JUSUN at the meeting and will be led by Chief (Dr.) David U. Edebiri, OON, the Catholic Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze and the Anglican Bishop of Benin Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) P. 0. J. Imasuen, MFR all of whom signed the communiqué.
Other stakeholders who endorsed the communiqué are: Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin City, Princess (Mrs.) P. I. lyomon, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State, Comrade Desmond Agbama, National Publicity Secretary of JUSUN, Comrade Kayode lgbarago and the
Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor.
ldahagbon while briefing the stakeholders yesterday ruled out the dismissal of any JUSUN member as a result of the strike and explained that they were only hiring new hands to carry out services considered important at the commission. National Publicity Secretary and leader of JUSUN delegation to the peace meeting also said security staff of the Judiciary Commission have not been part of the strike action as they were duly instructed to remain on duty since January but regretted that they have not been paid their salaries since then. The eminent Edo citizens had earlier prevailed on both government and JUSUN to stop all actions that could be inimical to the mediation process such as court actions and dismissal threats. All parties agreed to abide by the request going forward.
The atmosphere of the meeting which was very charged at the beginning erupted in joy midway as all participants happily welcomed the outcome and decisions as a major breakthrough since the commencement of the impasse six months ago.
