Judiciary

Adeleke Blames Osun CJ for JUSUN Strike

By Web News 239

By Funmi Ojo

Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke says his administration is not responsible for the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, in Osun State.

‎In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor while reacting to allegations made by the Forum of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, branches in Osun State, said the paralysis of the state judiciary was caused by the alleged failure of the Chief Judge to convene statutory meetings of the Judicial Service Commission, JSC.

‎The NBA, in a petition dated December 8, had accused the Governor and his appointees to the JSC of contributing to the crisis within the judiciary.

‎The government described the allegations as misrepresentations, stating that Governor Adeleke remains committed to constitutional governance and the smooth functioning of the judiciary.

‎According to the statement, the shutdown in the judiciary was not due to a refusal by government-appointed members of the JSC to participate in meetings, but rather the Chief Judge’s persistent refusal for two years to convene any meeting of the Commission as required by law.

‎The statement recalled the Governor’s intervention during the last JUSUN strike in February 2024, when he met with the JUSUN national leadership to resolve their grievances, which led to a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on February 16, 2024, between JUSUN, the State Government, and the Judiciary.

‎The MOA included commitments to reinstate suspended staff, convene JSC meetings, process promotions, pay robe allowances, withdraw pending litigations, and develop a new scheme of service for judiciary staff.

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Judiciary

Minimum Wage: JUSUN Issues Ultimatum to FG

By Web News 518

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the new national minimum wage and other benefits or face an indefinite strike.

This ultimatum was conveyed in a communiqué released on Wednesday after an emergency meeting held at the JUSUN Secretariat in Abuja.

According to the communiqué, the seven-day ultimatum begins on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and ends on February 19, 2025.

JUSUN warned that failure by the Federal Government to meet their demands within this time frame will result in an indefinite strike starting February 20, 2025.

The Union had been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage for judicial workers, even though other public sector workers have been receiving the revised wage.

The workers had previously given the government a 21-day ultimatum to address their demands, but no action was taken during the period.

The communiqué reads, “The meeting principally centred on the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day ultimatum issued to all Heads of Federal Courts, FCT Courts, and Judicial Bodies.

“That after exhaustive deliberations, the following resolution was reached. An additional seven (7) days’ notice is hereby given for the full implementation of the subject matter in line with relevant guidelines governing industrial disputes and the urgent intervention of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

“That the seven (7) days commence on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and end on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

“That failure to implement our demands within this stipulated time frame will mean the union cannot guarantee industrial harmony. Consequently, the strike will commence indefinitely from Thursday, February 20, 2025.”

JUSUN has urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent a disruption of judicial activities nationwide.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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Judiciary

Adeleke Lauds JUSUN for Calling off Strike

By Web News 396

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has commended the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, for calling off its three-month strike action, describing the resolution as a direct outcome of his arbitration.

In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor was reacting to the reopening of the court system in Osun state, which he noted was due to a series of positive interventions by the executive arm of government.

“We all know the executive should not intervene in judicial matters. We are all aware the issues are centred on human resource management and sundry operational matters. I believed all along that the judicial management in the state should take up the matter.

“This expectation was not fulfilled. So I was compelled to act because the matter was degenerating and negatively affecting the administration of justice in the state.

“At first, I ordered fresh re-payment of the withheld salaries of some judicial staff, hoping this would put an end to the strike. However, the dispute persisted over other issues such as wardrobe allowance and other operational questions.

Governor Adeleke, therefore, appealed to signatories to the agreement to abide by its terms to ensure lasting peace in the judicial sector.

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Labour

JUSUN: Adeleke Sets Up Committee to End Strike

By Web News 677

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, to resolve issues that led to the ongoing strike by the Osun chapter of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria.

Courts in the state have been shut since November 22, 2023, when the leadership of JUSUN declared an indefinite strike after they were dispersed by police operatives on the premises of the State High Courtin Osogbo, where they staged protest over non-payment of their wardrobe allowances and alleged high-handedness by the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.

A statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, said as part of efforts to end the strike, Adeleke had also given the committee a seven-day ultimatum, adding that letters were also sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of Nigeria seeking their support for amicable resolution.

Rasheed said Adeleke set up the committee “with a direct mandate to get this dispute resolved whatever it will take, noting that his action is to restore normalcy and not to interfere in the judicial arm of government.

“We are being careful all along not to be accused of meddling in judicial matters. But it is now almost an emergency. We must get the issues ironed out. I told the national leadership of JUSUN to mediate. I am also reaching out to the Attorney General and the Chief Justice. We need to get our courts running for regular dispensation of justice.

“The committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, is to find a lasting solution to the crisis within the judiciary within seven days.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Judiciary

Osun Govt. Assures JUSUN of Credible Response, Faults Report on Environs

By Web News 510

By Funmi Adekoya-Ojo/Folake Oye

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke says his government will not rest on its oars to ensure that the people of the state enjoy their rights.

Governor Adeleke stated this while hosting members of the Osun State Judiciary Staff Union, JUSUN, who were wrongfully suspended and had their fifty-seven months’ salaries allegedly diverted.

Governor Adeleke, represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi appreciated members of JUSUN, for their mutual understanding and maturity, saying, the government is concerned about JUSUN and would not allow the members of the judiciary to suffer for no reason.

He expressed joy that the national body has waded into the matter, noting that the suspended Judiciary staff salaries had been paid by the state government.

While urging members of JUSUN to continue to maintain peace and their dignity, most especially during their industrial actions, the Governor assured that all other demands of the Union would be looked into

In his remarks, the Chairman, Osun State Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Comrade Olugbenga Eludire commended the state government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke for its quick response towards the well-being of the judiciary Staff in the state.

On the issue of their industrial strike, Comrade Eludire said the industrial action is still ongoing adding that only the national body of the judiciary can give an order to either suspend or call it off

Meanwhile, the state government says Osun remains one of the cleanest states in the country.

Special Adviser to the State Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Babatunde Balogun stated this in a statement in Osogbo in reaction to a report credited to a group which rated Osogbo, the state’s capital as the dirtiest in the country.

While reiterating the commitment of the present administration to deal with the numerous challenges posed by environmental degradation in the state, Mr Balogun noted that both the state capital and major cities were always kept clean daily by the sweepers, parkers and PSP operators.

He explained that some large trucks were functioning, with small trucks packing over 1000 tonnes of waste to various dump sites every day for effective management.

Mr Balogun maintained that Governor Adeleke was keen towards creating a conducive and clean environment for the entire state’s citizens. 

He said the state government was working assiduously on innovations that would assist the environment and sanitation sector development and also ensure that the state shines amongst its equals.

Mr Balogun, who described the write-up as barbaric, warned the group to desist from such act, noting that it was a deliberate attempt to rubbish the good work of the performing Governor.

The Special Adviser also charged residents to take concrete actions towards ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment to assist the government in its bid to make the environment clean.

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Labour

NLC Notifies ASUU, JUSUN, Other Affiliates ahead of Strike

By Web News 514

The Nigeria Labour Congress has written all its 43 affiliate unions to mobilise for a scheduled industrial action primed to begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, The PUNCH reports.

The strike follows the increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit. Some of the affiliates of the NLC include – the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives among others.

In a letter written to the affiliates which was signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said, “We bring you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd June 2023, it was decided that Congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of services, against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the thirty-six states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC remarked.

The PUNCH had reported that on Monday, during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the President, Bola Tinubu declared that the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended.

Tinubu had also disclosed that the 2023 budget did not make provision for fuel subsidy as such, further payment is no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu had declared, adding that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.

The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country, with Nigerians lamenting the sharp increase in the price of petrol at the various filling stations.

Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

The organised labour has insisted that the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Judiciary

LG Autonomy: JUSUN, NULGE, PASAN Hold Joint Protest in Ibadan

By Web News 640

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Nigeria Union of Local Employees, NULGE and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN in South West have engaged in peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to demand the implementation of local government financial autonomy bill as passed by the National Assembly.

The peaceful protest which kicked off from the Nigeria Labour Congress Secretariat, Agodi, took the protesters to the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, to solicit the support of the house to hasten the passage of local government financial autonomy bill into law at the state level in the south-west.

Addressing the protesters, the speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin pledged the readiness of the assembly to support the implementation of the bill.

Mr Ogundoyin added that Oyo Assembly would convene the meeting of assemblies in the southwest to fashion out modalities for the realization of the bill.

Earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State, Olukayode Martins said it was vital that the judiciary, state assembly and local government be granted autonomy to promote good governance.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Judiciary

Ogun JUSUN Calls Off 2-Month Old Industrial Action

By Web News 811

Ogun State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has suspended the industrial action embarked upon over two months ago over cut in salary.

The Chairman of the Union, Comrade Tajudeen Edun, announced that there were series of meetings before the issue was finally resolved. 

He said the union had reached an agreement with the government and the union will resume work.

Comrade Edun said the state government had accepted the union’s demand and promised that members will partner the government in achieving greater heights.

The union chairman addressed the newsmen flanked by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and the Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Otun.

Wale Oluokun

Judiciary

Osun State Legislative Fund Bill Passes First Reading

By Web News 671

The Osun State Legislative Fund Management Bill 2021 has passed through the first reading on the floor of the Osun State House of Assembly.

This is sequel to a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr. Maroof Olanrewaju and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip Mr. Olugbenga Ogunkanmi.

The Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye in his remark, noted that the Bill when passed into law would make funds available for the Assembly and various standing committees to carry out their legislative duties.

The Speaker, committed the Bill to the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and Legal Matters to study the Bill critically and do the needful.

He commended members of the Judiciary Staff Union, JUSUN and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN for their steadfastness during the strike embarked upon by it’s members across the country for financial autonomy of the Judiciary and  Legislature.
In another development, the Osun State House of Assembly has assured people of the state that the process of putting Administrators at the Local Government, Local Council Development Areas, LCDA and Area Councils administration would begin soon.

The Speaker, Mr. Owoeye maintained that for the people to properly feel the impact of government, a local government administration must be in place.

Funmi Adekoya

Judiciary

Courts Resume In Ibadan, As JUSUN/PASAN Call Off Strike

By Web News 1134

Following the suspension of the industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, judicial activities have resumed in some courts visited in Ibadan.

At the State High Court, Ring Road, courts were opened for cases while other rooms for judicial and administrative events were opened.

At Court Four, sittings were held while three sittings were held in Court Five of the State High Court, Ring Road in Ibadan.

One of the court officials, Mrs Kehinde Olalere said the court sat as expected, adding that complainants were already approaching the courts for new dates on pending cases.

Our correspondent who visited some federal courts along new Adeoyo road, in Ibadan, reports that the situation was not different as some sittings were held on some cases at National Industrial Court as confirmed by the court’s JUSUN representative, Mr Festus Ajiboro.

Mr Ajiboro expressed optimism that the union’s demands would be met as government had already set up a committee to look into them.

JUSUN members began their strike on April 6, demanding for financial autonomy, salary increment among other issues.

Rotimi Famakin

Judiciary

Judicial Workers Resume in Osun

By Web News 536

After two months of strike action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) nationwide, courts in Osun State have opened their facilities to the public

Our correspondent who visited the headquarters of the Osun State High Court situated at Oke-Fia , Osogbo, observed that lawyers, litigants and staff of the judiciary were in the court premises discussing the situation.

Cleaners were cleaning the courtrooms and gardeners were seeing tidying up the premises.

Two suspects were brought to the court but were later taken back to the police station without been arraigned because of the absence of Magistrates and judges.

The Magistrates and judges numbering about ten came into the premises of the court in their official cars around 9:15 AM but later left the court premises.

A clerk of the court who pleaded not to be named told Radio Nigeria that most judges and magistrates could not be in court due to the valedictory programme of Justice wasiu Akanbi who retired from the service of recent.

She Gabe assurance that the court would sit tomorrow, Wednesday.

Radio Nigeria observed that large numbers of people were in the Court to sign affidavit and other documents.

In an interview, a legal practitioner, Mr Henry Odunayo explained that lawyers were already prepared for resumed hearing of cases.

Adenitan Akinola

Judiciary

FG Reaches Agreement with JUSUN, PASAN Over Financial Autonomy

By Web News 686

The Federal Government says the implementation of financial autonomy for the state legislature and judiciary will commence next week.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige stated this during conciliatory meeting to resolve the strike embarked upon by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). 

The Minister noted that the Federal Government took into consideration the Executive Order 10, where proposals from all sides and distilled them with the resolve to implement.

He said that implementation would commence with the distribution of the April allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, noting that striking legislative and judiciary workers would call off their prolonged strike as soon as implementation begins.

The Special Assistant to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang commended the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Ngige for the matured handling of the labour crisis in Kaduna and the resolution of the complex issues involved in the autonomy for the legislature and Judiciary.

He said the Federal Government took into consideration the Executive Order 10, the proposals from all sides and distilled them with the resolve to implement it.

Senator Enang blamed the past administrations for turning blind eye to the autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary for 21 years, adding that the Governors had studied the document and were in agreement with it.

He clarified that the implementation would commence with the distribution of the April allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.

FRCN Abuja

News Analysis

Implementation Of Financial Autonomy For The Judiciary

By Web News 850

As part of a democratic setting, the judiciary in the realm of conflict resolution plays a significant role in ensuring that individual rights which are enshrined in the constitution are well protected and the rule of law is religiously adhered to

As the 3rd arm of government judiciary has an indispensable role as the unbiased interpreter of the law

The roles of judges are tied to a set of characteristics and values that are essential for judicial function

These attributes are not limited to judges alone, it is also applicable to their supporting staffs, who assist them in the dispensation of justice 

In any democratic settings, the principle of separation of power where the allocation of government authority to separate institution in government limits arbitrary excesses by any arm of government

The primary goal of separation of powers is to enable the three arms of government to be functionally independent of each other.

In the appointment of judges at the federal and state level, the executive arm of government is saddled with this function based on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council, NJC, subject to the confirmation of the senate and House of Representatives.

This has made the executive to have so much power and influence on the judiciary as the judiciary looks up to the executive for financial obligations.

According to a maxim, he who plays the piper dictates the tune hence the need for the judiciary to be financially independent.

Unfortunately over the years, state judiciaries have relied on the executive for their funding.

Section 120 subjection 3 of the 1999 constitution {as amended} acknowledges the importance of financial autonomy for each arm of government

Equally section 121 subsection3 of the constitution states that any amount standing to the credit of state house of assembly and the judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund of the states shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts

 In spites of these constitution provisions, state judiciary in the country   have continued to be financially dependent on the executive making them to be at the whims and caprices of the executive

Regrettably, lack of financial autonomy on state judiciaries has made it difficult for judges at state high courts to be independent and impartial, especially in cases where the executive has a vested interest

It came as a succour when president Muhammahu Buhari on the 22nd of May, 2020 signed into law , the executive order no.1 of 2020 for the implementation of financial  autonomy for state legislature and state judiciary

The implication of this is that the judicial arm of government across the 36 states in Nigeria will now receive their financial allocations from the consolidated revenue fund without recourse to the executive.

With this executive order, order 10, it is with dismay that the implementation of this law has become a mirage, which propelled the judiciary staff of Nigeria, JUSUN, to commence an indefinite nationwide strike on the 6th of April calling for the implementation of the executive order 10 by the state government.

Corroborating the struggle of JUSUN, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammed said the decision by court workers nationwide to press for financial autonomy for the judiciary was justified.

On the 20th of April a meeting was scheduled to hold between the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige and representatives of JUSUN where the representatives of the union walked out.

Landing their voice of support for financial autonomy, the Nigerian bar association also staged a peaceful protest in all states of the federation to back the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciary.

For JUSUN, no retreat, no surrender as the industrial action is a weapon of negotiation to press home their demand

However, the effect of the strike is taking its toll on suspects who ordinarily should not spend more than 48 hours in custody

The strike has prevented the police and other law enforcement agencies from arranging suspects in courts which has overcrowded the cells.

All judicial activities have been paralyzed, even as legal practitioners whose source of livelihood has been tampered with are lamenting bitterly

The ball is now in the court of state governments’.

The Nigeria governors forum should make it a matter of urgency to deliberate and implement the financial autonomy of the judiciary as signed into law

Furthermore, when financial autonomy is eventually, implemented heads of courts should not be the accounting officer to prevent corruption and financial recklessness.

Upon acceding to the demands of JUSUN, the state government should inaugurate a judiciary fund management board that will be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring accountability with funds.   

Adeyoyin Shomoye

Judiciary

JUSUN: Protesters Block Convoy of Osun Deputy Governor

By Web News 618

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), today, blocked the convoy of Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi during a protest. 

The members of the two Unions, who were demanding the full implementation of financial autonomy to the Judiciary, had converged at the premises of the High Court of Justice, Oke-Fia Osogbo where they marched to the Customary Court of Appeal through to Federal High Court opposite Osun State House of Assembly at Gbongan/Osogbo road, before terminating it at the Government Secretariat, Abere.

Convoy of the Deputy Governor ran into the protesters who refused to give way to him as the convoy moved with the train peacefully until they later managed to escape from the protesters at the petrol station close to the State Government Secretariat, Abere when the vehicles entered through the first entrance of the filling station and exited through the second gate to boycott the protesters. 

Adenitan 

Judiciary

Gov. Abiodun Appeals to JUSUN to Call off Strike

By Web News 580

 Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has appealed to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to call off their strike and give state Governors opportunity to perfect implementation plan on their demand for financial autonomy.

Governor Abiodun made the plea while playing host to the leaders of the State branches of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Afolabi Fashanu in his Abeokuta, Oke Mosan office. 

Governor Abiodun who said that his administration supported the need for separation of powers, especially in the presidential system of government, pointed out that Nigeria Governors’ Forum was taking steps to resolve all the grey areas.  

Responding, the leader of the NBA team, Mr Fashanu said his team would deploy moral persuasion and dialogue with JUSUN on the need to end the strike in the interest of justice and democracy.

It would be recalled that members of JUSUN embarked on an indefinite strike across country on April 6, 2021 to enforce financial autonomy for the judiciary arm of government as granted by the Nigerian Constitution.

Bolanle Adesida

Judiciary

JUSUN Strike: Lawyers Demand Financial Autonomy in Ondo

By Web News 645

Lawyers in Ondo State have protested the continued strike action embarked upon by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) over the demand for financial autonomy for judicial arm of government.

The lawyers from five branches in the state converged on Akure High Court complex from where they moved round the state capital and ended in the governor’s office in Alagbaka where a letter of protest was presented to the government.

Armed with different placards including, “Please, save the judiciary from sinking”,”the time for emancipation is now“, “NBA says no Executive control of judiciary“, “Aketi Obey section 121(3) of the Constitution“, “NBA believes in judicial autonomy” and “Save judiciary from drowning“, the lawyers said the governors should allow judicial autonomy in the state.

Led by the Akure branch of the NBA, Mr Rotimi Olorunfemi, Thompson Akinyemi and Chief Orimisan Okorisa of Ondo and Okitipupa branches of NBA, the lawyers said a situation where the judiciary goes to governors for fund each time is not acceptable to lawyers in the state.

In the letter submitted to the governor’s office, the lawyers said the judiciary which is an independent arm of government under the Constitution and saddle with the important role of administration of justice should not be strangulated by the executive arm of government.

Leke Adegbite

Judiciary

JUSUN Strike : Ogun Judicial Workers Comply With Union

By Web News 994

All judiciary offices and court premises in Ogun state were under lock and keys as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria members in the state complied with the directives of it national body to resume suspended industrial action till further notice.


The offices and court premises at Isabo and Sagamu road in Abeokuta when visited where diserted with only the security men at the entrances.


It was observed that a letter notifying the public on the strike titled twenty one day ultimatum were however pasted on the gates entrances of the judiciary complex and Isabo courts.


The letter quoted a communique of the union signed by the national secretary of the union Comrade Adetola that the twenty one day ultimatum issued to the Federal government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary had expired following which members of the union are to resume an earlier suspended industrial action.


The memo dated first of April this year directed members to shut down courts and departments in all the states until further notice.
Businesses around the court at Isabo was affected as clients were sent back due to non sitting at the court and non present of Judiciary staff.

Wale Oluokun

Judiciary

JUSUN Strike: Oyo Judicial Workers Down Tools

By Web News 731

In compliance with the directive by the national body  of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, today judicial activities have been paralyzed at all court premises in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

Radio Nigeria monitored the situation within Ibadan metropolis observed that Oyo state High Court of Justice, Ring Road, Ibadan, complied with the directives as members of staff locked the main entrance and placed  various inscription  on the gate such as judiciary autonomy is nonnegotiable, injustice in temple of justice among others.

The situation was not different at the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal, Ibadan.

Speaking on their demands, Chairman, Judiciary staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Oyo state branch who doubles as Oyo state NLC Chairman, Mr Kayode Martins said the financial autonomy will aid the efficiency of the sector in the dispensation of justice.

Similarly, members of the Judiciary staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) enforcing its indefinite nationwide strike, have evicted court staff from the Federal High court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

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

In a related development, all court activities in Osun state have been grounded following an indefinite industrial action embarked upon by members of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.

Addressing the judicial staff, its, Chairman Mr Gbenga Eludire averred that all forms of criminal activities in Nigeria today were as a result of neglect of the judiciary, hence the need for the full implementation of its autonomy.

Adedoyin Shomoye

Judiciary

Ondo State Judicial Workers Embark on Indefinite Strike

By Web News 646

Judiciary workers in Ondo state today joined a nationwide indefinite strike to protest the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Radio Nigeria who monitored the situation in Akure, observed that the State High Court, Appeal Court, Magistrates courts and the Federal High Court in Akure have been shut down by officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) led by the state Chairman, Comrade Femi Afolabi.

The strike is to seek financial autonomy of the Judicial arm of government, though the federal government has allowed for financial autonomy, state governments were accused of not granting financial independence to the judiciary in the states.

Reacting to the refusal of states to implement the policy, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), accordingly directed its members across the country to shut down all courts nationwide beginning from today.

In Akure, some lawyers and litigants returned home disappointed as they met gates of the court locked by JUSUN officers while staff of the Federal High Court were forced out of the premises.

Speaking with newsmen, the JUSUN Chairman in Ondo state, Comrade Femi Afolabi said the strike would not be called off until their demands were met by government.

Comrade Afolabi described as successful the first day of the strike, adding that all stakeholders in the judiciary arm were fully in the JUSUN support.

 Leke Adegbite