Posted by By Wahab Abdulah & Innocent Anaba on
LAGOS State Chief Judge, Justice Ade Alabi, other judges of the state High Courts and litigants alike were locked out of the courts premises yesterday as the judiciary officers commenced an indefinite strike to press home their demand for a better pay.
LAGOS - LAGOS State Chief Judge, Justice Ade Alabi, other judges of the state High Courts and litigants alike were locked out of the courts premises yesterday as the judiciary officers commenced an indefinite strike to press home their demand for a better pay.
The workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Association of Nigeria (JUSAN) embarked on the strike to press the government to implement the provision of Section 121 (3) of the constitution.
The affected workers were of the opinion that they suppose to be beneficiaries of the funds appropriated into the Consolidated Revenue Fund meant for the expenditure of the judiciary as provided by the constitution.
In a show of solidarity, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, has also threw its weight behind the strike action urging the government to find a quick solution to the impasse.
The Chief Judge, who arrived the Ikeja headquarters of the State Judiciary at about 9.30am, was seen moving round the fence of the High Court without any way of gaining access to the premises of the High Court. He latter left with the Chief Registrar, Mr. O. Dabiri, who said that he is sure that soon the problem would be resolved. Equally, some judges, who came in the morning, returned without having access to the court as the gates leading into the court premises were under lock and key, with some of the striking staff seen monitoring the progress of the strike action.
At the Lagos judicial division of the state High Court, the same situation was applicable as the whole premises was under lock and key and no activities were permitted within the court premises. Some of the workers who came early were seen hanging around the gates waiting for instructions from the union.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr Adekunle Ojo, Chairman of the Ikeja branch of the NBA, said the branch is in support of the workers' actions.