A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the federal and state governments to release funds meant for the judiciary to Chief Judges in line with constitutional provision.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Judiciary Workers Union (JUSUN), Justice Adeniyi Adetokunbo-Ademola ruled that the piecemeal payment of funds and amount due to the judiciary is unconstitutional, null and void and should be stopped forthwith.
Justice Adetokunbo-Ademola also gave a perpetual injunction restraining the federal and state governments from further contravening the provisions of the constitution with regards to first line funding of the judiciary.
In a judgment that lasted for an hour, Justice Adetokunbo-Ademola ruled that the federal and state governments with the exception of Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states have been violating Section 81(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and therefore should be stopped forthwith.
Lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr Yunus Usman applauded the verdict of the court saying compliance with the judgment of the court will promote the independence of the judiciary.
Reacting to the judgment, lawyer to one of the defendants, Mr Sebastine Hon declined comment on whether his client will appeal the judgment. He said his client will be advised on the step to take.
The National President of the JUSUN, Marwan Adamu however commended the verdict of the court.
Members of the union celebrated the verdict of the court with jubilation as they trooped out of the court room.