Following the suspension of the three-month strike by the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, judiciary staff in Osun returned to work on Monday.
The strike, which began in November 2023, aimed to address concerns regarding better conditions of service among other demands.
A visit to the High Court Complex on the Osogbo-Ilobu Road by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed workers complying with the directive to resume work on March 7.
Workers were seen entering the court complex as early as 7:30 am, with artisans engaged in clearing overgrown grass and cleaning courtrooms and offices.
While court proceedings were not scheduled for the day due to necessary cleaning and other arrangements, a staff member expressed gratitude to the union for advocating for its members’ interests.
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Administrative officer Mrs. Juliet Alabi emphasized the need for the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the union, Osun judiciary, and the state government, urging prompt action for the benefit of all judiciary workers.
Lawyer Mr. Jones Olujimi highlighted the relief among lawyers and litigants at the reopening of courtrooms after the prolonged strike.
He anticipated the resumption of trial and judgment delivery processes with magistrates and judges assigning dates for both fresh and pending cases.
The strike stemmed from various grievances, including the alleged seizure of wardrobe allowances, suspension of colleagues by the Chief Judge, and a training embargo on workers.
JUSUN Chairman in Osun, Mr. Oluwagbenga Eludire, announced the suspension of the strike based on a tripartite agreement involving the Osun government, Osun judiciary management, and JUSUN.
Terms of the memorandum included convening a meeting within seven days to address the union’s remaining demands, such as regularizing and promoting qualified staff and ensuring no intimidation of judiciary officers or JUSUN members.
The union extended appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke and Speaker Wale Egbedun for their intervention leading to the strike’s suspension.
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