Banks, court shut down in Ebonyi over NLC, TUC strike

The strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has paralysed activities at the Ebonyi State High Court, banks and other public and private establishments.

The strike was organised to protest the attack on the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo, on November 1.

The court was under lock and key while judiciary workers were stranded outside the court premises.

Emmanuel Awoke, the secretary of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Ebonyi, said the strike became necessary to protest against injustice against workers.

Mr Awoke said he was in the office as early as 7:30 a.m. to ensure no judge or magistrate entered the court premises.

“As you can see, the main gate is already locked and nobody is allowed to walk inside. This is in compliance with the National directive in support of the nationwide strike. JUSUN as an affiliate of NLC has to live by the principles of the union’s laws and directives. As it stands, there are no court that is sitting. The workers are here to do their work but we cannot allow them to violate the law of the NLC,” Mr Awoke stated.

A lawyer, Onwe Solomon, said the strike disrupted his case in the court but noted that the move was in the right direction.

“My matter is one that requires urgent attention, but on getting here this morning, I found out that nobody is allowed to go inside the court because of the strike. I believe they are fighting for their right and the good interests of the nation,” said Mr Solomon. “The situation in the country today is worrisome, especially the assault on the NLC national president. It is uncalled for.”

A bank customer, Uchenna Elom, hailed the move for the strike and urged the federal and state governments to take steps to protect the rights and interests of workers.

Mr Elom said he was at a bank to obtain a new ATM card but found it was not open for business.

ATMs in most banks, including First Bank, Ecobank, UBA, and Union Bank, visited the capital city and were fully working with a long queue of customers.

Reacting to the development, Egwu Ogugua, NLC chairman in Ebonyi, said the compliance to the strike was 90 per cent.

“All banks are closed, except Zenith Bank, but they later closed. You know an injury to one is an injury to all. The ruling class should stop intimidating the Nigerian workers,” he stated.