By Tony Icheku 


Circulating videos and photographs of Abia State Governor Alex Otti either holding court with dignitaries on courtesy visits or engaged in other public engagement paints  a false  picture of idyllic calm and peace across the State. A rather blatant falsehood! Behind the scenes a humanitarian crisis is gradually taking shape.

The rising death toll of detained persons and the health complications of others in the over crowded police cells tell the real story of the vulnerables in Governor Alex Otti's Abia 

As of today, May 9, 2026, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia State branch, has been on an indefinite strike for roughly eight weeks, having resumed the action on March 15, 2026. The strike has persisted over unresolved demands regarding salary structures and financial autonomy

Ideal constitutional provisions in a democracy proposes the existence of the three arms of government namely the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, each serving  as checks and balance on the other to  prevent any arm from dictatorial or autocratic inclinations. In simple terms, where the government stands on the executive, parliamentary and judiciary tripod, it is assumed that the Rule of Law reign supreme 

However, where only one arm of government rules in   total and absolute control of affairs, the safe assumption is that the  single arm of government will gradually retrogress towards despotic and autocratic inclinations and tendencies subjecting citizens to a rule of  'Might is Right'

Legal scholars describe the closure of law courts in a democracy  as a "constitutional heart attack", because the judiciary is the branch responsible for checking the power of the executive and the legislature, thus its absence or suspension effectively halts the "rule of law" and replaces it with the "rule of might."

There is no doubt that currently, Abia State suffers  systemic, economic, and human rights implications occasioned by the judicial shutdown

Perhaps, the worst case scenario of the 8-week court shut down is the humanitarian crisis. With Over 70% of Nigeria's prison population being those "awaiting trial." During a judicial shutdown, the fate of these individuals hang in limbo, often resulting in prison congestion, with attendant health complications and security risks.

These  citizens in pre-trial detention and even those undergoing trial are denied any iota of hope, and their suffering remain prolonged  and "lost" in the system without a date for their freedom.

The "shadow" effect, even if the executive doesn't actively abuse power during a shutdown, the mere possibility of abuse without recourse changes how citizens and businesses behave.

Financial autonomy are often the root cause of JUSUN strikes. And section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution mandates that funds for the judiciary be paid directly to the heads of courts (First Line Charge). However, many State Governors have historically withheld these funds, forcing Chief Judges to "beg" the executive for operational costs.

Regrettably, the Executive consistently thumbs it's nose at this constitutional provision and after the 2021  64-day nationwide strike (the longest in Nigerian) shutting down all courts, the "4th Alteration" to the Constitution and Executive Order 10 was cobbled together to enforce financial independence. Both the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), and JUSUN agreed through a Memorandum of Action (MoA) to comply, but it all appears to be another fruitless expedition 

From its body language, Abia State Government appears  comfortable with the ongoing strike. Nine days ago, the Director General, Abia State Strategic Communication Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma in a joint press conference held at Government House Umuahia claimed that substantial progress has been made in resolving the ongoing strike noting that most disputed issues have been settled.

The duo explained that the government has been engaging the union and has almost concluded discussions.

“I can tell you that the State government has been in daily engagement with the leadership of JUSUN. Even as at yesterday (Wednesday), there have been regular interfaces; meetings have been held, talks are ongoing and, as we speak, we are almost at the point of final resolution of the issues that led to this strike"

However, as we write, the paralysis of the justice system persist even as the government is not under any pressure to resolve the issues. 

From the point of view of the vulnerables, the slow paced negotiation suggest that if  Gov. Alex Otti is not comfortable presiding over the 'Rule of Might', more fast paced dialogue would have been facilitated to arrive at an amicable settlement between government and JUSUN