TheCable

The Lagos state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) says it will reopen courts in the state partially.

Asiwaju Shobowale Kehinde, JUSUN Lagos chairman, said the decision is because their demands are being looked into.

Kehinde said out of all state governors, only the Lagos state government has shown concern for the JUSUN struggle.

Kehinde said the partial resumption is to enable the courts to deliver important judgments.

“The union had the best assurances directly from Mr governor and the chief judge of Lagos state on improving welfare allowances for staff which had eluded them since 2014,” he said.

“It is impossible that a state branch will suspend a national strike; hence JUSUN strike is very much ongoing in Lagos State.

“But due to the great respect and honour Lagos state judiciary staff have for Mr governor and the chief judge of Lagos state, it is our desire only to relax strike rules to allow clearance of backlogs, reading of judgement and decongestion of prison occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic and EndSARS protest.

“Therefore, work and official duties are constrained to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of every week, while Monday and Tuesday of every week remain our strike days that all staff must stay off duty to observe the national strike.

“All gates of courts in Lagos State will be partially open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only,” Kehinde said.”

On April 16, JUSUN embarked on a nationwide strike in protest against the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, on Tuesday said his government is concerned about the welfare of judicial workers and promised to work with other governors to bring an end to the strike.