Legal Practitioner Writes JUSUN Headquarters, Demands Stoppage Of Strike Action By Osun Judicial Workers

A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, has demanded the immediate stoppage of the indefinite strike action embarked upon by Osun State Judiciary Workers.

In a letter dated 19th of January, 2024 and addressed to the National Secretary of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Abuja which was obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, the legal luminary expressed concern over the collapse of courts and the failure of the Judiciary to perform its constitutional role as a result of the strike action.

Lamenting the increasing cases of communal unrest and threat to peace of the state due to the closure of the courts, Awomolo added that “innocent Nigerians are languishing in all custodial facilities in Ife and Ilesha, due to increased number of awaiting trials.”

According to the letter, “On 20th day of November 2023, the Osun State Chapter declared an indefinite strike action over alleged seizure of wardrobe allowances of judicial workers in the State, suspension of their colleagues and the Chief Judge’s refusal to lift the embargo on workers training.

“The workers made attempts to picket the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo and prevent her from gaining access to the High Court. The law enforcement agents who manned the gates of the High Court, Osogbo prevented the workers who were violent and forceful, so tear gas canisters were thrown into the midst of the workers.

“The Chairman of the State Union Mr. Gbenga Eludire, unhappy with the Police action, swore to continue the indefinite strike action.

“I have interfaced with the State Attorney-General Mr. Wale Bada on this matter. He assured me that the monies due to the workers was about to be settled and by now would have been settled.

“I interacted with Honourable Chief Judge who denied withholding monies due to the Judiciary. She explained that funds were not released to the Judiciary but that all efforts to amicably resolve the impasse were rebuffed by the Union, led by Mr. Gbenga Eludire.

“I am very concerned by the collapse of courts and the failure of the Judiciary to perform its constitutional role. Everyday the cells of all the Police Station in the State swelled up. The custodial facilities in Ife and Ilesha, are over full, due to increased number of awaiting trials.

“There are increasing cases of communal unrest and threat to peace of the State due to the closure of all Courts in the State. Innocent Nigerians are languishing therein and Legal Practitioners are very negatively affected”.

He however called for the immediate intervention of the JUSUN headquarters to intervene in the matter in other to allow Judiciary in the state perform its Constitutional function.

Other recipients of the letter are the Chief Judge of Osun State and the current Attorney Genneral and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Jimi Bada Esq .

“I request that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) should preserve its integrity by immediate intervention in the Osun State strike action and allow the Judiciary in Osun State to perform its Constitutional function.

“I dare say that without Judiciary in the State, anarchy has become inevitable and this must not be allowed in a democracy.

“I count on your urgent intervention”.