Abeokuta, Ogun State – In a recent turn of events, a crucial judgement scheduled at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was disrupted on Wednesday due to the closure of the court gates by judicial workers.
Leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) took the decision to lock the gates of the Magistrates’ Court at Isabo, Abeokuta, where the tribunal was convening.
This action was taken in compliance with the two-day warning strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in protest against the removal of fuel subsidies.
This warning strike, which began on Tuesday, is expected to conclude at the end of the workday today, further highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal had designated Wednesday as the day for delivering a verdict in a petition filed against Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, also known as Yayi, the Senator representing Ogun West.
The petition, marked EPT/OG/Sen/2023, was filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dada Ganiyu Adeleke.
Comrade Olanrewaju Ajiboye, the State Chairman of JUSUN, explained to Daily Trust that the decision to lock the tribunal’s gates was in adherence to the directive from the national body regarding the two-day warning strike.
Ajiboye stated, “The tribunal is expected to sit today, but they (judges) are unable to sit because we have locked the gate of the Court in compliance with the directive of the NLC national body. This is why the Tribunal cannot sit today (Wednesday).”
In response to concerns about the time-bound nature of election tribunal proceedings, Ajiboye emphasized, “We can’t throw the gate open and allow the tribunal to sit; that will mean we intentionally sabotage the struggle of the workers, most especially the judicial workers.
The tribunal has the right to sit anywhere, but this is our own premises; we can always close it as directed by the national body of the union.”
The interruption caused by the strike has raised questions about the potential impact on the legal proceedings and the timely delivery of justice in the election petition
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