The Ondo State Police Command has issued a stark warning, stating that the ongoing indefinite strike by judicial staff is severely hampering the justice system and creating a dangerous security vacuum in the state.
Strike Halts Courts, Forces Police to Release Suspects
Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal raised the alarm during a press briefing, revealing a critical consequence of the industrial action. Courts across Ondo have been shut for over two weeks, forcing the police to grant bail to suspects who should otherwise be formally charged and arraigned.
Lawal explained the precarious situation: "The strike by judicial workers in Ondo State is really affecting us. In cases which should ordinarily be charged to court, we are compelled to grant bail. And the risk is that if any of them jumps bail, it becomes the Nigeria Police's problem," he stated.
Root of the Crisis: Autonomy and Welfare
The industrial action was initiated by magistrates, presidents of Grade ‘A’ customary courts, and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). Their grievances are twofold: the alleged failure of the state government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary, and long-standing complaints over poor welfare packages for its workers.
The striking judicial staff have also pointed fingers at the state's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac. They accuse the officials of undermining the judiciary by withholding its constitutionally mandated financial independence.
Police Grapple with Legal and Security Dilemma
CP Lawal detailed the operational bind his officers face. With courts closed, lawyers for detained suspects insist on their clients' right to bail, leaving the police with little choice but to comply. "There are conditions to be considered before granting bail, but when they are there, you see lawyers, their counsel insisting on bail, and we are compelled to grant bail," he lamented.
While noting that sureties would be held accountable if a suspect absconds, the Police Commissioner emphasized the broader threat: "But on a serious note, the strike is affecting us because cases which ought to have been charged to court are not." This backlog and the release of suspects, he implied, directly threaten public safety.
Hope for Resolution and Broader Security Efforts
Despite the crisis, Lawal expressed optimism that a resolution is near. He referenced a meeting held on or around Tuesday, January 20th, between the Attorney-General and the striking workers. "I want to believe that by next week, they ought to resume sitting, and we are looking forward to that," he added.
Separately, the Commissioner disclosed that the police command is collaborating with other security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and the military, to fortify the state's borders and flush out criminals. Joint operations are combing forests believed to harbor criminal elements and fleeing terrorists to prevent them from entering Ondo State.
Lawal also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his continued support to security agencies in their fight against crime across all 18 local government areas of the state.
