LAGOS COURTS UNDER LOCK AND KEY FOLLOWING NLC STRIKE

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All court proceedings in Lagos have been suspended due to the statewide industrial action that the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress initiated in response to disagreements about a new minimum wage for workers in the nation.

Upon visiting the courts, it was noticed that the majority of employees refrained from work as a result of a June 1 circular from the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which organized its members for the strike.

The JUSUN Acting General Secretary, Comrade MJ Akwashiki, signed the circular stating that the industrial action will start at midnight on Sunday, June 2.

It instructed all JUSUN vice presidents, chairs, and secretaries to keep an eye on their respective zones and make sure that all courts and judicial institutions nationwide are completely closed.

A few attorneys were observed circulating around the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Igbosere, on Lagos Island, but none of the courts were in session.

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi barred attorneys and litigants from entering the building, and soon after, the gates were securely secured.

While several employees did not want to speak on camera, they did state off camera that they would have to go back home.

A few judges also arrived at work but were not allowed to take their seats.

Executives from JUSUN ensured that the strike was followed at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, and even the Tafawa Balewa Square Division.

But other litigants and attorneys were spotted hanging around the courts, many of them holding out hope that the strike action would be reversed.