The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has established a committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, tasked with addressing the issues underlying the ongoing strike by the Osun chapter of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria.
Since November 22, 2023, courts in the state have remained closed following the declaration of an indefinite strike by the leadership of JUSUN. This action was prompted after they were dispersed by police officers while protesting at the State High Court premises in Osogbo. They were protesting against the non-payment of their wardrobe allowances and alleged high-handedness by the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.
In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, it was announced that Adeleke had established a committee with the objective of resolving the strike. The committee was given a seven-day ultimatum to achieve this goal. Additionally, letters were dispatched to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of Nigeria soliciting their assistance in facilitating a peaceful resolution.
Rasheed said Adeleke set up the committee “with a direct mandate to get this dispute resolved whatever it will take, noting that his action is to restore normalcy and not to interfere in the judicial arm of government.
“We are being careful all along not to be accused of meddling in judicial matters. But it is now almost an emergency. We must get the issues ironed out. I told the national leadership of JUSUN to mediate. I am also reaching out to the Attorney General and the Chief Justice. We need to get our courts running for regular dispensation of justice.
“The committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, is to find a lasting solution to the crisis within the judiciary within seven days.”