NBA WARNS OF POSSIBLE EMERGENCY IN OSUN AS JUDICIARY SHUTDOWN PERSISTS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Osun State has warned that the continued closure of the judiciary could push the state into a constitutional crisis that may trigger a state of emergency if urgent action is not taken.
In a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the NBA described the three-month JUSUN strike as a serious threat to law, order, and democratic stability. Courts have been shut since September 22, leaving cases suspended, businesses affected, and criminal justice grounded.
The association blamed the deadlock on government-appointed members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) who have allegedly refused to attend meetings called by the Chief Judge, stalling efforts to address JUSUN’s complaints.
The NBA warned that a non-functioning judiciary exposes Osun to insecurity, human rights abuses, and economic decline. It cautioned that the Federal Government may interpret the paralysis as the state’s inability to maintain order, which could justify emergency intervention.
The Bar urged the governor to act swiftly, asking him to ensure JUSUN returns to work within seven days and to compel all JSC members to resume their duties to restore confidence in governance.
The letter emphasized that the judiciary is the backbone of democracy and that its continued shutdown leaves the state vulnerable.