Festus Keyamo’s response to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) regarding its president Joe Ajaero’s suggestion of creating a “hall of shame” for judges found compromising election tribunals has sparked a debate about the role of labour unions in overseeing the judiciary.
The NLC, which represents Nigerian workers, has been vocal about the need for fair and just elections in the country. In a recent event in Abuja, Joe Ajaero stated that the NLC and civil society would hold judges accountable if they were found to be compromising election tribunals.
However, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has pointed out that the NLC’s partisan position makes it unsuitable to act as a watchdog over the judiciary. According to Keyamo, the only constitutional watchdog over the judiciary and judicial officers is the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Keyamo’s statement has generated mixed reactions from different quarters. While some people agree with his assertion that the NJC is the only body with the authority to oversee the judiciary, others argue that labour unions have a legitimate role to play in ensuring that the judicial system is fair and just.
Some legal experts have also weighed in on the debate, pointing out that the principle of natural justice, which states that no person can be a judge in a case in which they have an interest, should also apply to labour unions. They argue that if labour unions are allowed to act as watchdogs over the judiciary, it could compromise the integrity of the judicial system.
On the other hand, supporters of the NLC argue that as representatives of the Nigerian workers, labour unions have a stake in ensuring that the electoral process is free and fair. They point out that the NJC has not always been effective in holding judges accountable for their actions and that labour unions can help to fill this gap.
In conclusion, the debate about the role of labour unions in overseeing the judiciary is likely to continue for some time. While some people believe that the NJC should be the only body with the authority to oversee the judiciary, others argue that labour unions have a legitimate role to play in ensuring that the judicial system is fair and just.
