Striking judiciary workers lock out Appeal Court judge, others

Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 08.02.2008

STRIKING workers of the Court of Appeal in Benin City on Thursday locked out Justice Saka Ibiyeye and litigants who came for the resumed hearing of the appeal of Delta State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Chief Peter Okocha, challenging the election of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as governor.

The development, once again, stalled the scheduled hearing of the appeal. Okocha had gone to the appellate court in Benin City after the Election Petitions Tribunal in Delta State threw out his petition challenging the declaration of Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state.

The appellate court Justice and the litigants apparently thought that the strike embarked upon by judiciary workers had been called off and had come to the court to resume proceedings.

But they met resistance from the workers who insisted that the gate must not be opened for any official transaction until their demands for pay rise and better conditions of service were addressed.

When Justice Ibiyeye entered the court premises, members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Edo State chapter, led by their chairman, Mr. Kayode Igbarago, reminded him that they were on strike and that it was not possible for him to preside over proceedings.

Appeals from Justice Ibiyeye to allow him make some quick pronouncements did not yield any positive result, as the workers insisted that everybody should leave so that the gate could be locked.