Judiciary workers in Nigeria, under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), prevented judges, lawyers, staff, and litigants from accessing courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with the directive from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to strike.
This action has effectively paralyzed court activities across major courts including the FCT High Court in Maitama, the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.
Members of JUSUN were stationed outside the heavily locked gates, ensuring that no one could enter. Private security guards and a few police officers were also seen around the court premises, but access was denied to all, including journalists.
Comrade Samuel Ikpatt, Chairman of the Federal High Court Chapter of JUSUN, confirmed the union’s full compliance with the NLC directive, stating, “We are the affiliate of NLC. So we are in total compliance with the strike action, including all our divisions.” He emphasized that no court sittings were taking place and no one was allowed inside the courts.
When asked when the gates might be reopened, Ikpatt responded, “Until we get a directive from our parent body, which is the NLC.”
Similarly, Mohammed Danjuma-Yusuf, Treasurer of the JUSUN Chapter at the Court of Appeal, confirmed the total shutdown of all 20 branches of the Court of Appeal, stating, “Nobody is allowed in, even judges.” He indicated that the gates would remain closed until further instructions from the NLC national headquarters.
This action follows the declaration by the NLC and TUC on May 31 of an indefinite strike starting June 3. The strike is a response to the government’s failure to meet the unions’ demands regarding the minimum wage for workers. Negotiations had reached a deadlock, prompting the organized labour to initiate the industrial action.
