Police disperse protesting judiciary workers, union declares strike in Osun

Operatives of the Nigerian police on Wednesday dispersed protesting members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun State branch, as the Chief Judge, Oyebola Adepele Ojo, resumed her office.

The protesters have since Monday paralysed activities in the State High Court in protest against alleged abuse of office and highhandedness by Ojo.

But on Wednesday, Ojo made her way into the premises, and the protesters who had left the gate to the premises open, upon realising that the CJ had entered, moved towards where her vehicle was being parked.

Police operatives on the premises subsequently fired teargas to disperse the protesters, and those at the scene ran in different directions.

Chairman, Osun JUSUN, Oluwagbenga Olakunle Eludire, addressing journalists after the incident said, “Following the action of the police and attitude of the Chief Judge, I, Comrade Gbenga Eludire, hereby ordered that workers in the sector should withdraw their service till further notice.”

Meanwhile, the JUSUN, Osun State Chapter has embarked on an indefinite industrial action with immediate effect.

The strike was declared on Wednesday by the chairman of JUSUN in the state, Oluwagbenga Olakunle Eludire.

The strike is coming on the heels of the protests on Monday and Tuesday by Osun JUSUN over the allegations of maladministration against the embattled Osun Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo.

The JUSUN members also accused her of unduly persecuting some members of staff and denying them entitlements ranging from restoration of training exercises to the arrears of wardrobe allowances from 2021 to 2023 and the reinstatement of judiciary staff in the state suspended by the chief justice.

“Regularisation and promotion exercise without further delay should be effected.

“Also other benefits that members of JUSUN are entitled to should be effected without further delays.”

Thus, Eludire directed all Judiciary workers in the state to stay away from the courts and their offices and withdraw their services.