JUSUN Resumes Work In Rivers

Judiciary workers in Rivers state have relaxed the ongoing
nationwide strike action of the Judiciary staff union of Nigeria
(JUSUN).

JUSUN national office on April 6, 2021, directed their members
to proceed on indefinite strike, following the failure of state
governments to grant their demand for financial autonomy.

The leadership of the Union said there is no going back until
their demands are met.

The development led to the closure of all courts in Nigeria,
including Supreme and Appeal Courts.

Litigants, Lawyers and businesses around the courts have
lamented hardship as the result of the situation.

However, Governor Nyesom Wike expressed fury on the
participation of the state JUSUN in the strike, claiming that his
administration is already implementing financial autonomy for the
judiciary in the state, stressing that the state workers are simply
on sympathy strike in support of their colleagues in other
states.

He threatened to withdraw their salaries to implement the “no
work no pay” policy from the month of June if they refuse to call
off the strike and return to work as soon as possible.

The Governor made the threat during a public function in the
state last week, by early hours of Monday, June 7, the state union
via a telephone call directed their members to return to work the
same day.

When newsmen visited the court Tuesday, most of the workers were
seen in their courts either doing clean-up of their offices, tables
and seats, updating court registers and preparing case lists in
readiness for the resumption of sitting.

However, no magistrate or Judge was sighted in the premises, but
some lawyers were seen around.

Some JUSUN members who spoke to our Reporter expressed delight
returning to work after two long months, saying that they were
tired of staying at home, as they greeted one another “happy new
year.”

Meanwhile, the Nation learnt that the outcome of the meeting of
JUNSUN leadership and the government is ongoing in Abuja as at the
time of filing in this report.

Judiciary workers in Rivers state have relaxed the ongoing
nationwide strike action of the Judiciary staff union of Nigeria
(JUSUN).

JUSUN national office on April 6, 2021, directed their members
to proceed on indefinite strike, following the failure of state
governments to grant their demand for financial autonomy.

The leadership of the Union said there is no going back until
their demands are met.

The development led to the closure of all courts in Nigeria,
including Supreme and Appeal Courts.

Litigants, Lawyers and businesses around the courts have
lamented hardship as the result of the situation.

However, Governor Nyesom Wike expressed fury on the
participation of the state JUSUN in the strike, claiming that his
administration is already implementing financial autonomy for the
judiciary in the state, stressing that the state workers are simply
on sympathy strike in support of their colleagues in other
states.

He threatened to withdraw their salaries to implement the “no
work no pay” policy from the month of June if they refuse to call
off the strike and return to work as soon as possible.

The Governor made the threat during a public function in the
state last week, by early hours of Monday, June 7, the state union
via a telephone call directed their members to return to work the
same day.

When newsmen visited the court Tuesday, most of the workers were
seen in their courts either doing clean-up of their offices, tables
and seats, updating court registers and preparing case lists in
readiness for the resumption of sitting.

However, no magistrate or Judge was sighted in the premises, but
some lawyers were seen around.

Some JUSUN members who spoke to our Reporter expressed delight
returning to work after two long months, saying that they were
tired of staying at home, as they greeted one another “happy new
year.”

Meanwhile, the Nation learnt that the outcome of the meeting of
JUNSUN leadership and the government is ongoing in Abuja as at the
time of filing in this report.