Judiciary staff in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of FCT chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Wednesday, joined the ongoing nationwide strike called by the organised Labour in the country.
Meanwhile, the staff in the FCT judiciary were at their various duty posts on Tuesday at the commencement of the strike action declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Speaking with Tribune Online at the High Court of FCT headquarters at Maitama, Abuja, JUSUN Chairman in the Territory, Comrade Abdulrazaq Yusuf, informed that the decision to join the ongoing strike was as a result of the directive received from the Union’s headquarters.
Yusuf said the directive as contained in a circular issued by the national headquarters of the judicial staff union was received at about 12pm on Monday.
According to the FCT JUSUN chairman, “We received the circular directing judiciary staff to join the ongoing strike at about 12 noon on Tuesday.
“Immediately we received the circular, we notified the court’s management and closed for the day by 2pm yesterday (Tuesday).”
He informed that to ensure compliance with the directive, executive members of JUSUN were deployed in all FCT courts, including all divisions of the High Court.
“As I am speaking with you right now, our executive members are at the various divisions of the High Court and other courts to ensure members comply with the directive of our national body to join the strike,” Yusuf said.
The JUSUN circular directing members to join the ongoing strike, dated 14th November 2023, was signed by M.J. Akwashiki, for the secretary general and addressed to the Union Deputy President, all zonal Vice-Presidents, all chairmen and secretaries of branks and chapter.
The one-paragraph circular reads: “Following a directive by the joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC/TUC, all branches and chapters of JUSUN are to comply by ensuring our members remain at home until further directives.”
Some litigants and lawyers were seen outside the premises of the Maitama headquarters of the FCT High Court which was put under lock and key by the striking workers, thus preventing anyone from entering the premises.
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