Judiciary Workers Lock Out Judges, Lawyers in Abuja Amid Strike

The Federal High Court in Abuja was closed on Monday, preventing lawyers, court staff, and litigants from entering the premises.

This occurred despite a statement released on Sunday assuring that court workers would not participate in the strike.

When our correspondent arrived at the Federal High Court on Monday morning, the building was locked and inaccessible.

A similar situation was reported at the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja.

Recall that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria issued a communiqué dated May 30, instructing federal chapters to begin an industrial strike starting at midnight on Sunday, June 1.

In the communiqué signed by Acting General Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN cited unproductive meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment as the reason for the strike.

The judiciary workers’ demands include payment of a five-month wage arrears, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25% to 35% salary increase.

However, on Sunday, the National Judicial Council (NJC) JUSUN chapter, through its Public Relations Officer Mr. Joel Ebiloma, stated that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the NJC, and the Federal High Court would not join the strike.

The statement noted that this decision came after intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

It also mentioned that a two-week grace period had been given to the relevant authorities to address the union’s demands.