Striking judiciary workers lock out judges, others in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja was shut on Monday, leaving lawyers, court staff, and litigants unable to access the premises.

This comes despite a statement issued on Sunday in which the courts announced that its workers would not be joining the strike.

When our correspondent arrived at the Federal High Court premises on Monday morning, the court was locked and inaccessible.

The same scenario played out at the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja.

In the communiqué signed by Acting General Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN attributed the strike action to unproductive meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The demands of the judiciary workers include the payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25%/35% salary increase.

However, on Sunday, the National Judicial Council JUSUN chapter released a statement through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Joel Ebiloma, announcing that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the NJC, and the Federal High Court would not be participating in the industrial strike.

The statement explained that the decision followed the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

It added that a two-week grace period had been granted to the relevant authorities to address the union’s demands.

Source: Punch