The Federal High Court in Abuja was closed on Monday by striking Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) members, preventing lawyers, court officials, and litigants from accessing the premises.
This is despite a statement issued on Sunday in which the courts announced that its employees would not be joining the strike.
When our correspondent arrived at the Federal High Court grounds on Monday morning, the court was shut and inaccessible.
The same situation played out in the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja.
Recall that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria released a communiqué on May 30 urging federal chapters to begin an industrial strike at midnight on Sunday, June 1.
In the communiqué signed by Acting General Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN ascribed the strike action to unproductive discussions 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% compensation increase.
However, on Sunday, the National Judicial Council JUSUN branch issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Joel Ebiloma, saying that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the NJC, and the Federal High Court would not take part in the industrial strike.
According to the announcement, the decision was made in response to an intervention by Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
It stated that the relevant authorities have been granted a two-week grace period. The judiciary workers demand a five-month wage award, the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25%/35% compensation raise.
However, on Sunday, the National Judicial Council JUSUN branch issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Joel Ebiloma, saying that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the NJC, and the Federal High Court would not take part in the industrial strike.
