Like Doctors, Lawyers Set Date To Shut Down All Courts In Nigeria

Lawyers have set a date to shut down all courts in Nigeria.

NewsOne Nigeria reports that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed its members (lawyers) across Nigeria to shut down courts nationwide beginning from Tuesday, April 6, 2021, following the inability of the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to implement Financial Autonomy for the Judiciary.

This online news platform understands that JUSUN had on 13th March 2021 issued a 21- day ultimatum which elapsed on Sunday, April 4, 2021. The strike action is expected to begin Monday but due to a public holiday, the nationwide strike commences Tuesday 6th April 2021.

A statement issued by Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, JUSUN president, said all courts in Nigeria and other departments would be shut until and unless the government does the needful.

Also, a circular Ref.no.JUSUN/NHQ/GEN/111/VOL.11/65 dated April 1st 2021 signed by the general secretary, Comrade Isaiah M. Adetola to Members of JUSUN (lawyers) across the country, the union asked members to comply with the directive by the NEC of the union.

The circular to lawyers reads as thus; “I have been directed to refer to the communique issued at the end of the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of JUSUN on 13th March 2021 in Abuja and particularly refer to paragraph 9 on 21 day ultimatum to Government to implement the financial autonomy of the Judiciary, failure of which JUSUN will have no option but to resume the suspended national strike.

“Therefore, as a result of public holiday on 5th April 2021, the strike action has been postponed to Tuesday 6th April 2021.

“You are directed to shut down Courts/Departments in your States until further notice from the National Secretariat of JUSUN in Abuja.”

Meanwhile, NewsOne Nigeria reports that the proposed strike by lawyers in Nigeria, will be coming at a time resident doctors are currently protesting in the country while President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in London receiving medical care.