Osun: Judiciary Workers Lock High Court Gate Over CJ Saga

VOICE AIR MEDIA News Update

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union in Osun State on Monday locked entrance to the Osun State High Court in Osogbo in protest against the Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo and accused her of persecution.

The protesting workers led by the Chairman, Osun JUSUN, Oluwagbemiga Olakunle Eludire, prevented movement into the premises which houses the office of the embattled CJ.

Armed with placards with inscriptions such as ‘Judiciary Staff Deserves Better,’ ‘We are Tired of Oppression and Stagnation,’ and ‘Unlawful Suspension of Judiciary Staff Without Recourse to Judicial Service Commission is Barbaric,’ among others, accused Ojo of refusal to pay wardrobe allowances of workers in the last three years.

The workers also said they protested in solidarity with some of their members whom they alleged have suffered various forms of persecution under the CJ who was sacked by the state governor, Ademola Adeleke.

They demanded the immediate reinstatements of three of their colleagues who had been placed on suspension by Ojo and denied their salaries and other entitlements.

Addressing journalists, Eludire said their agitations were quite separate from the actions of the state government.

“We demanded from Justice Ojo why our wardrobe allowance from 2021 till date has not been released despite funding by the state government.

“We want to know why the government directive on promotion and advancement made available by the Osun government was not used for the purpose approved for.

“We want to know why notable JUSUN members were unlawfully suspended without proper investigation against public service rules.

“We will not back down until appropriate action is taken on the matter,” Eludire stated.

Recall that Governor Adeleke had asked the CJ to step aside following allegations of corruption, abuse of power among others.