The gates of the High Court of Lagos State in Ikeja are shut due to the ongoing nationwide strike orchestrated by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). It is reported that legal practitioners were turned away from the court’s precincts following the directive issued by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
JUSUN, on the 1st of June, 2024, informed its members of the indefinite industrial action owing to an unresolved decision concerning the minimum wage.
M.J. Akwashiki, serving as the interim General Secretary of JUSUN, articulated that the strike would commence at the stroke of midnight on Sunday, with all branches expected to adhere to the mandate.
“All vice presidents of our great unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shutdown of all courts and judicial institutes across Nigeria.
“The nationwide strike is to ensure government agrees on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law; and to reverse the hike in electricity tariff, which was implemented without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law,” he said.
The gates of the Federal High Court in Lagos were closed, no staff bus was seen, and court officials who came to court were turned away. The same situation applies to the Ojo Magistrate’s Court, as the courtrooms will remain closed indefinitely until the strike is called off.