The Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Federal Court of Appeal as well as the Federal High Court in Abuja have all been shut down following an industrial action by workers in the country’s Judiciary under the auspice of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The courts cut a ghostly picture on Monday as the workers began a protest over the “refusal” of the government to implement the consolidated salary structure.
The aggrieved workers, led by the union’s Deputy National Chairman, Comrade Samuel Adeshida, shut down the gates of the Appeal Court while the main entrance into the Federal High Courts was closed and members of the Judiciary Staff Union remained stationed at the gate to enforce the strike action.
The staff expressed anger that despite reaching an agreement with the National Judicial Commission and the Federal Government’s Salaries and Wages Commission five years ago for the implementation of the new salary structure and engaging in several other negotiations over the issue, the government has continued to back down on its promise.
They lamented that while those in charge have stalled on the implementation at the federal level, staff of State High Courts are already enjoying the new salary structure. They urged all federal court workers in the country to join in the strike to make it more effective.
At the Court of Appeal, registrars and staff barricaded the entrance to the premises, carrying placards with various inscriptions to show their anger.
“Our Mummy Hon. CJN save us,” “We are dying. This trouble must be resolved,” “What sins have we committed working for the government?” “We support your transformation agenda, but save us, Mr. President,” “We give our today for better tomorrow; join us in the struggle to actualise CONJUSS,” read some of the placards. They also chanted anti-government songs asking that their demands be met.
Most of the staff said they would not leave the premises until they were sure no activity would take place throughout the working hours of the day. They also stopped lawyers and those with other businesses in the courts from gaining admittance, threatening to continue the strike until their demands are met.
