The Federal High Court (FHC) Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Monday locked out judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants in compliance with the indefinite strike declared by the union’s national leadership.
A visit to the FHC headquarters along Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja revealed that all entrance gates to the court complex were securely locked, rendering the premises inaccessible. The disruption effectively brought court-related activities to a halt, with business around the court premises also affected.
According to report, the national leadership of JUSUN had issued a circular on 30 May, through its Acting National Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, instructing all chapter chairmen to direct their members to stay away from work from midnight on Sunday, 1 June.
The circular read:
“This directive follows unfruitful meetings convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment in a bid to resolve our demands.
As mandated by the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of our union, the industrial action will continue until further notice.
Our demands include payment of the five-month wage award, implementation of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage, and the 25/35 per cent salary increase. Solidarity forever.”
Attempts to speak with members of the union’s executive at the court were unsuccessful, as they were reportedly in a closed-door meeting.
Also Read:Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Staff Unions Threaten Strike Over Unmet Demands
Although there were reports that some chapters of JUSUN may have pulled out of the strike, as of 9:48 a.m. on Monday, the gates of the Federal High Court remained firmly locked.
