By John Ogunsemore
Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani said the shutdown of the courts by judiciary workers is a ‘big embarrassment’ to the nation.
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had fixed Monday, June 2 to commence a strike to protest the non-payment of five months’ arrears of wage award, the non-implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, and the non-implementation of the 25/35 percent salary increase.
In a circular by its Acting National Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN asked all its chapters’ chairmen to direct all their members to stay at home from midnight of June 1.
On Monday, the Federal High Court (FHC) Chapter of JUSUN locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing the court following the indefinite strike declared by its national body.
A lawyer, Deji Adeyanju confirmed in a Facebook post that the gate of FHC Abuja was locked, crippling activities.
“Federal High Court gate locked. We can’t go in for our matter this morning because of industrial action by judiciary workers,” he said.
Reacting to the development in an X post, Sani urged the Federal Government to address the workers’ demands.
He said, “The FG should look into the demands of the Federal Judiciary Staff.
“The shut down of the courts is a big embarrassment.
“The nation has enough resources to address their legitimate demands.”