NLC chides Gov. EL-Rufai over attack on the judiciary

UFOMBA UZUEGBU
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed dismay over the disparaging comments by the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai about the nation’s judiciary.
NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who made the position of the Congress known in a statement, weekend in Lagos said the unsavory comments on a national T.V platform which was aired recently are not only irresponsible, unbecoming, and dangerous because they are capable of undermining our public institutions, but they also represent the height of flippant commentary
Recall that Gov. El-Rufai had described the Nigerian judicial system as a “pathetic system” that sides more with the crooks than the innocents. He noted in the TV interview that the government of Kaduna state had not been able to convict people that allegedly stole state funds because the courts were making it difficult to convict people.
He stated that one of the biggest mistakes Nigeria made was setting up the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), citing instances where the court freed people accused of corruption.

Ayuba Wabba stated inter-alia: “The allegations against the National Industrial Court are spurious mischievous, malicious and prejudicial and reveal the extent of Mr. Nasir El-Rufai’s bigotry and ignorance in simple judicial matters as the NICN could not have stopped him from pursuing the criminal aspect or content of his complaint. His comments present him as a Governor who neither believes in rules nor systems.

“Right wing extremism which E-Rufai represents is dangerous to our
democracy because it does not believe in rules or laws other than its
own rules and laws and seeks to destroy that which it cannot control.

The public service rules are meant to be respected in all circumstances by both government and employees. Labour standards and rules are also meant to be respected by all including
Mr. El-Rufai. Hiring and firing workers like slaves has no place in a
democratic system guided by the rule of law.

“It is important to stress that employment relations between
employers (be it government or private) are guided by rules and
standards of the International Labour Organization, the first
specialized agency of the United Nations, and all member-nations
are under obligation to respect and commit to those standards.

“The National Industrial Court Nigeria was established in 1976 and
was made a court of superior record by the (Third Alteration)
Amendment Act 2010 in line with global standards. We have Labour or Industrial Courts in all parts of the world – Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia with specific examples in Chile, Argentina, Peru, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Malaysia and many others. In Latin American countries, the Labour Courts derive their authority from their national Constitution and in some cases they are known as Supreme Labour Courts.

“So clearly, from this survey, the practice of having Industrial Courts
is not peculiar to Nigeria. And in spite of the cases workers have lost at the Court, the Court continues to be a beacon of justice, refuge and hope through its numerous decisions; bold, creative, unbiased and courageous.

“In light of this, nothing should be done to undermine the authority
of the NICN or any Court for that matter. The role of the NICN in
conflict resolution in the industrial relations conflict space has been
unparalleled and epochal. Ditto its contribution to productivity.
We workers have confidence in the Court and will continue to seek
Justice in the Court. The judiciary has been the least funded of the three arms of government and Judges whose salaries were last reviewed in 2009 are the least paid. Save a few privileged Judges, their work environment is next to intolerable.

“In light of these realities, the least we can do as a people or as a
country is to ensure the judiciary gets its share of fair funding
independence and good remuneration for its officers. We have no doubt E-Rufai can be part of this team instead of indulging in this kind of criticism.”