Judicial autonomy good for rule of law — AFBA

The President of the African Bar Association (AFBA), Hannibal Uwaifo, has said the ongoing nationwide strike action embarked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) would not have held if there was rule of law.

He said this at a media parley in Lagos, yesterday, on the level of compliance with the rule of law by African leaders.

He canvassed for judicial autonomy to mitigate issues of rule of law and the removal of any bottleneck that could affect the dispensation of justice in the country.

“Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike would have been unnecessary if the government and those who run governance are observing the rule of law.

“The judiciary staff are doing the right thing. Judicial autonomy is a necessity and should be implemented,” he said.

Citing different situations where leaders of African countries have violated the rule of law, Uwaifo urged the President, ECOWAS Commission, to prevail on Cape Verde to immediately and unconditionally obey the judgment of the community court and release a Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab.