A nationwide strike of court workers in Nigeria is paralysing the justice system, resulting in extended prison remands for those awaiting trial or sentencing and lengthy delays for everyone else. But both dates have passed without any movement in the case due to weeks of strike action by court workers belonging to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). Nigeria’s constitution gives the judiciary financial autonomy from state governors and heads of courts access to a federal fund. The union said the dependence on the executive for funds has affected the day-to-day running of the justice system. Even before the court workers’ strike, Nigeria’s judicial system left many in jail for years without trial.

Source: The Guardian May 26, 2021 07:52 UTC