Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) stormed the Federal High Court Lagos shortly before 9 a.m today to enforce their indefinite nationwide strike.
Members of staff of the court who had arrived at their offices, some as early as 7 am were directed to pack up and leave the court premises.
The union members then went round to ensure that everyone had been evicted after which they sealed some of the offices and pasted notices indicating the commencement of strike action.
By a circular dated April 1, the national leadership of JUSUN had ordered the closure of courts across the country as from today, until the government complies with the provisions of the constitution, court judgments, and other instruments which confer or re-emphasise the financial autonomy of the Judiciary.
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The circular signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Isaiah Adetola, had directed all branch, states and zonal heads of the union to resume the suspended strike and ensure compliance.
The union said that at its last National Executive Meeting on March 13, 2021 in Abuja, it had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government to implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary, “failure of which JUSUN will have no other option but to resume the suspended national strike action.”
“Therefore, as a result of the public holiday on April 5, 2021, the strike action has been postponed to Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in its reaction yesterday says that while the reason for the proposed strike is commendable and aligns with the position of the NBA, the leadership of the NBA is however, concerned about the timing of the proposed strike (especially coming on the heels of the recent shut down of courts on account of Covid-19).
The President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata however says the association has reached out to, and is discussing with JUSUN to reconsider the strike in the public interest.
