NJC Decision on Osun CJ Won’t Stop Strike

The leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, has said the industrial action embarked upon by its members would continue since its demands have not been met.

The Osun JUSUN has been on strike since November 22, after police operatives dispersed them on the premises of the Osun State High Court in Osogbo to stop them from physically harassing the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo, whom they had been protesting against.

The court workers accused the CJ of abuse of office and denying them their rights. Based on their petition against the Chief Judge, the state Assembly launched a probe against the Chief Judge and resolved to have her suspended by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Last week the National Judicial Council in Abuja threw out Adeleke’s request to suspend the Chief Judge and appoint the next most senior high court judge in the state as acting CJ.

The NJC’s decision had raised hope that the workers would return to their duty posts soonest, but Osun JUSUN chairman, Mr. Gbenga Eludire, told the press on Sunday that the crisis was not over yet.

Eludire said the issue between the executive arm of the state and the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, had nothing to do with JUSUN’s demands.

Eludire reiterated that the strike by JUSUN was to demand the welfare of its members.

He said, “The issue of NJC doesn’t concern JUSUN. The issue is between the CJ and the executive arm and that is none of our own business. CJ is our mother, and the governor, Ademola Adeleke, is our father.

“If there is anything between them, we don’t dare dabble in such. Our own concern is the welfare of our members. The question is have they attended to our concerns? From day one, our decision is that until our demands are met, the strike continues and that is the status quo and it remains the situation for now.”