THE Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, in Osun State, has declared an indefinite strike action over issues of seizure of wardrobe allowance, suspension of their colleagues, and the Chief Judge’s refusal to lift the embargo on worker’s training.
This came as the Police stationed at the High Court entrance, located in the Oke-Fia area of the state capital, tear-gassed the protesting workers and journalists.
The judiciary workers, who made attempts to prevent the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, from gaining access to the High Court, were forcefully dispersed.
The Police operatives, led by SP Akinloye Oyegade, who were at the entrance of the premises, made efforts to dissuade the workers from picketing the CJ’s office.
However, efforts by the operatives to persuade some workers not to resort to violence failed as the Police fired teargas canisters to forcefully disperse the crowd including journalists.
One of the officers was heard by the workers telling his colleagues to target the journalists to prevent them from covering the scene.
The workers later regrouped at the Customary Court of Appeal premises located along Estate Road, where their leaders addressed newsmen, declaring an indefinite strike in the sector.
The Chairman of JUSUN, Gbenga Eludire told news men that “From now on, all necessary benefits that are due to all members of the judiciary should be reinstated without any further delay and many more benefits and advantages that are due to all judiciary workers.
“Upon this and with the attitude of police this morning and the singular act of the Chief Judge I, hereby, declare.
“Since the Chief Judge has declared war against all categories of workers of the judiciary in the state, I also declare that we embark on an industrial action. From now on, all workers of the judiciary should stay away from office and should hold their service until further directive is given by me.”
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has said its decision to step aside its resolution over the allegation of corruption against the Chief Judge was in line with the natural rule of fairness.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Kanmi Ajibola disclosed this while receiving the protesting Judiciary Staff Union at the Assembly complex.
Ajibola added that the lawmakers’ actions were geared towards cleaning the judiciary of corruption to restore the confidence of the people.
The lawmaker said: “We received some petitions against the CJ, and there are reports accompanying those petitions that if the CJ is allowed into her office, there are some documents that will be tampered with, that will distort the investigation.
“The people who brought petitions are entitled to a fair hearing. The CJ, whom the petition was brought against, is also entitled to a fair hearing.”
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