Judicial workers ground courts nationwide despite CJN’S intervention

By Joseph Onyekwere ( Lagos), Rotimi Agboluaje ( Ibadan), Oluwaseun Akingboye ( Akure), Timothy Agbor ( Osogbo), Nnamdi Akpa ( Abakaliki), Charles Ogugbuaja ( Owerri), Ann Godwin ( Port Harcourt), Sodiq Omolaoye ( Abuja), Ameh Ochojila ( Abuja), Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi ( Jos), Dahiru Suleiman ( Dutse) and Odun Edward ( Ilorin)

DESPITE the last- minute intervention by the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) to halt the nationwide strike proposed by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria ( JUSUN), members of the union yesterday grounded courts across the federation.

JUSUN had in a notice issued by its General Secretary, I. M Adetola, dated April 1, 2021 announced that it would begin a nationwide industrial action yesterday to press home JUSUN’S demands for enforcement of financial autonomy in the Judiciary.

The union stated that it had, at its last National Executive Meeting on March 13, 2021 in Abuja, issued a 21- day ultimatum to the government to implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary with a threat that “failure of which JUSUN will have no other option but to resume the suspended national strike action.”

But the NBA in a statement by its President, Olumide Akpata, urged the body to shelve the strike in the interest of the public, adding that the timing was wrong.

Adamant to the NBA pleadings, the union yesterday commenced the strike as scheduled and also enforced it across the country.

Even an emergency meeting called by the Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, with leaders of JUSUN could not stop the workers’ action.

Outcome of the meeting is not yet disclosed at press time.

Notwithstanding the meeting, the unionists stormed the Federal High Court premises in Lagos and evicted court workers.

They arrived on the court premises before 9a. m. and directed their colleagues, who were in courtrooms and in their offices to comply with the industrial action.

They sealed some of the offices and pasted notices indicating the commencement of court shutdown.

The unionists also prevented court workers and other court users from gaining access to High and Magistrates’ Courts in Ikorodu. Also at the Ikeja High Court, members of JUSUN donning red vests prevented entry into the premises by members of the public by sealing all the entrances to the court premises.

A banner notifying the public about the ongoing strike was placed conspicuously at the main entrance of the court.

Members of the union were also observed chanting words of protest stating that their rights should be enforced. “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our right,” they cried.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, JUSUN members boycotted courts, leading to the paralysis of legal activities in the state.

Lawyers and litigants in customary, magistrates’ and high courts were turned back as a result.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Oyo State Chairman of JUSUN, Kayode Martin, said there was no going back on the action.