Police operatives, on Wednesday, dispersed protesting members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State branch, as the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, resumed her office.

The state governor had last week announced the suspension of the Chief Judge, saying it was carrying out the recommendation of the state House of Assembly.

The government had, however, come under heavy backlash, making it backtrack on its plan to appoint an acting Chief Judge.

The judiciary workers, who are accusing the Chief Judge of abuse of office, had since Monday started a protest, picketing the state high court and the office of the Chief Judge, thereby paralysing the justice sector.

The protest entered day three on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, when the Chief Judge arrived at the court, police operatives stationed at the entrance of the court opened the gate for her.

Before her arrival, some judges had earlier arrived on the premises, apparently to prepare for the meeting earlier planned over the demands of the protesting workers.

Displeased by the action of the police, who opened the gates for the CJ, the leaders of JUSUN, who were already somewhere within the court premises, rushed to the gate and threatened to stop the judge from going into her office.

But Divisional Police Officer at Dugbe Division, Osogbo, Akinloye Oyegade, who led the policemen, warned the protesters against attempting to stop Justice Ojo from entering her office.

However, tension rose, as the workers led by the JUSUN chairman, Mr Gbenga Eludire, insisted that the CJ would not have been allowed into the premises.

But Oyegade, who warned the protesters against going to where the CJ’s vehicle was parked, suddenly signaled his men to disperse the protesters.

Journalists and protesting JUSUN members were eventually dispersed by the police with teargas and were forced out of the court premises.

Speaking to journalists after the incident, Eludire, who condemned the police for descending on the protesters, said all the demands of the union must be met before industrial harmony would be guaranteed in the court.

He subsequently declared an indefinite industrial action.

Eludire said, “Upon this and with the attitude of police this morning and the singular act of the Honorable Chief Judge, I, Comrade Oluwagbemiga Olakunle, the Chairman Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, hereby declare that since the Honorable Chief Judge has declared war against all categories of workers of judiciary in the state, I also declare that we should embark on an industrial action from now on.

“All workers of the judiciary should stay away from the office and should hold their service until further direction is given by me.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly on Judiciary, Mr Kanmi Ajibola, on Wednesday said the House resolution asking Ojo to step aside was in line with the natural rule of fairness and transparency.

Ajibola spoke at the Assembly while receiving the leadership of JUSUN who paid a visit to the lawmakers after police had dispersed them from the court.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, quoted as Ajibola saying, “Let me state clearly, we received some petitions against the CJ, and there are reports accompanying those petitions that if the CJ is allowed into her office, that there are some documents that will be tampered with, that will distort the investigation.

“And on this note, the people that brought petitions, they are entitled to a fair hearing. The CJ, whom the petition was brought against, is also entitled to a fair hearing. But to balance justice with a fair hearing in this case, the House sat and decided that while this investigation is on, and for the security of documents that have been said, which go into the foundation of the case we are having before us, the CJ should step aside.”

Earlier, JUSUN Chairman, Eludire, said they were at the Assembly to seek assistance from the lawmakers to save them from the alleged unfair treatment they were getting from the Chief Judge. (The PUNCH)

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