Ikeja High Court closed as labour begins nationwide strike

The two gates to the premises of Ikeja High Court in Lagos were closed as organised labour began a nationwide strike on Thursday following the inability of the Federal Government to meet the demands for a new minimum wage.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress NLC and United Labour Congress (ULC) are demanding at least N65,000 as minimum wage for workers as against the current N18,000 in the organised public and private sectors in the country.

A Correspondent of NAN observed that all courtrooms were under lock and key, lawyers, litigants and members of the public who attempted to gain entry into the premises were turned away by security men manning the premises.

Mrs Taiwo Olatokun, the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary, who on her arrival to the court premises, was observed to be unable to gain access to her office because the administrative building was also under lock and key.

Officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were however, unavailable to answer enquiries from the media as their national union had on Wednesday directed its members to join the strike by the organised labour.