On Monday, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Anambra State Chapter, began an indefinite strike over the state government’s refusal to pay the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure.
News About Nigeria gathered that the courts in the state which comprises of the High Court located at Ekwueme Square, Chief Magistrate’s Court, and Customary Court in Amawbia, Awka, were all shut down with no court proceedings.
Also, there were no magistrates, judges, or staff seen around the court premises except for security personnel on duty.
Following this, the security personnel turned back lawyers and litigants who came around at the entrance as all the gates were locked.
The Chairman of the Anambra state chapter of JUSUN, Henry Ezeoke, who spoke to newsmen, revealed that the indefinite strike was to protest the non-adherence to an agreement reached between them and the state government in 2011 and 2015.
He further noted that before their decision to embark on the indefinite strike, they had explored all other options including several negotiations but the state government has failed to keep its own part of the agreement.
Ezeoke further disclosed that the strike will not be called off until the Anambra state government meets its demand.
He said, “The action was a result of the state government’s refusal to pay CONJUS as agreed upon in 2011 and 2015 respectively. We have explored all possible avenues but the state government has refused to comply with the agreement on implementation of CONJUS.
“The union earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government but it was ignored. We believe that downing tools is the only language the government will understand. Therefore, the strike will last indefinitely, until government meets the conditions and pending further directives by the union.”
