Strike: JUSUN members lock out lawyers, litigants, others from court

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Tuesday in Abuja, locked out staff members, lawyers, litigants and the general public from the Federal High Court complex in Maitama.
Members of the Union were seen at the court premises as early as 6.30am on Tuesday morning to ensure that no one entered the court premises.
A big padlock was used to lock the entrance to the court from the outside to ensure that no one gained access.
Members of the union were seen sitting in front of the court entrance. They, however, refused to speak to journalists and only said “we are on strike”.
Litigants trying to gain entrance were turned away while security personnel attached to the court were seen loitering around.
JUSUN said the strike is to press home their demand for the financial autonomy of the judiciary.
A statement by JUSUN President, Mr Marwan Adamu, said all courts and other departments would be shut until and unless the government does the needful.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on May 22, 2020, signed into law an Executive Order granting financial autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary across the 36 states of the federation.
The Executive Order No. 10 of 2020, made it mandatory for all states to include the allocations of both the legislature and the judiciary in the first-line charge of their budgets.
The order also mandates the accountant-general of the federation to deduct from source amount due to the state legislatures and judiciaries from the monthly allocation to each state, for states that refuse to grant such autonomy.
In compliance with the nationwide strike, all courts in Kano, Oyo and Lagos states were shut on Tuesday.
JUSUN members locked out staff members, litigants and their lawyers from entering the court buildings.
The Chairman of JUSUN in Kano, Mr Mukhtar Rabiu-Lawan, declared that the lock out was in compliance with the instruction given by JUSUN National Headquarters in its letter, No JUSUN/NHQ/GEN/III/VoL II/65 dated April 1.
”There is no going back. We have begun the strike and all courts within the state have been shut,” Rabiu-Lawan said.
JUSUN members locked out staff members, litigants and their lawyers from the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Norman’s Land, Zungeru Road and the Kano High Court at Miller Road among others.
Also speaking, Mr Kayode Olusegun, the Chairman, JUSUN Oyo State Chapter, said there is no going back on the action.
Olusegun expressed regrets that nothing positive had been done to the Executive Order signed by Buhari, granting financial autonomy to both judiciary and and the legislative arms of government.
Lawyers and litigants in customary, magistrates’ and high courts were turned back.
Also at the Ikeja High Court, members of JUSUN donning red vests prevented entry into the premises by members of the public by sealing all the entrances to the court premises.
A banner notifying the public about the ongoing strike was placed conspicuously at the main entrance of the court.
Members of the union were also observed chanting words of protest stating that their rights should be enforced.
“Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our right,” they cried.
JUSUN on April 3 issued a circular ordering the closure of courts across the country from April 6, as a measure to ensure an implementation of the order.
But, some lawyers and litigants in Kaduna on Tuesday expressed diverse views on the strike.
Most lawyers expressed support for the strike, with a few saying that the action would lead to the collapse of the country’s justice system.
A lawyer, David James, who opposed the strike argued that it might bring about the collapse of justice system in the country.
According to James, the strike will deny those awaiting trial quick resolution of their cases, while lawyers will be made redundant, thus affecting their income.
He further said that the industrial action by JUSUN might increase the level of poverty and crime, if not resolved on time.
“The action was infringing on the fundamental human rights of prison inmates and will also make it impossible for accused persons to be granted bail.
“In such instance, it is the inmates that suffer because of the strike, as their cases are further delayed in courts.
“For example, some of my clients are being unfairly held in police detention because they have not been arraigned before a court due to the strike,” he said.
He urged the government to listen to JUSUN’s demands, if that will bring about reforms in the judicial system.
Karim Abdullahi, a lawyer who expresses support for JUSUN, said it would be wrong if the government remained unconcerned about developments in the Judiciary.
He advised the government and the union to resolve the issues urgently.
“The ones that have to be negotiated should be negotiated and in the process, there would be a compromise, there would be no winner, no loser.
“JUSUN cannot have everything it wants, and the government cannot fold its arms and feel unconcerned, let them sit and agree on the fundamentals to ensure that the courts become functional again,” Abdullahi added.
He, however, noted that the strike would hit hard on inmates standing criminal trial for five to six years.
Abdullahi called on the government to yield to the demands of the judiciary workers as it is the right thing to do and for justice to be granted to those awaiting trial.
Also, Paul Daniel, said that it would be good if the demand of JUSUN on autonomy was granted, as the judiciary is a vital arm of government.
According to him, the judiciary workers were fighting a good cause, though the strike would definitely cost him and his clients a lot.
“I support the financial autonomy of the judiciary for proper checks and balances in the government.
“If the judiciary must remain impartial, then financial independence or autonomy is an indispensable factor,” Daniel said.
Also, a litigant, Ruqayya Adamu, expressed sadness over the strike and expressed the hope that it will be over soon.
Adamu, whose civil case was slated for mention, said it was unfortunate that the courts were closed due to the strike.
Another litigant, Aliyu Ibrahim, said he left home early so as to appear before the court, but was disappointed to meet the court closed.
He also appealed for a quick resolution of the issues, “so that the common man will access justice.”
The National leadership of JUSUN in a circular dated April 1, ordered the closure of courts nationwide as from April 6.
The order followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum to the government to implement full financial autonomy of the judiciary.