SECOND WEEK FEBRUARY 2008 (11TH - 15TH )

SQUIB DIARY

MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2008
The Squib’s not out. Reason? The courts are shut down. Shut down since the 4th. Judiciary Workers (judges and magistrates excluded) on strike over poor conditions of service.
Came to the Ikeja High Court. The gates locked up. Learnt that the Federal High Court Lagos and the Court of Appeal opened though.

The Bar Centre was open. Spent some time there chatting with some “rusticated” colleagues. Six days running and the strike is already biting lawyers hard.

Of course, the striking workers were not lame balls too. According to some wiggers ( lawyers), some of the strikers have started paying “courtesy visits” to lawyers’ chambers, not out of the goodness of their hearts but for some sort of “fine bara.” How really true is that?

TUESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2008
As a lawyer on forced holiday, worked quietly in my chambers.

WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2008
Was at the Ministry of Justice today. Saw some friends. Ran into Mrs. Tola Rotimi’s mini birthday party. The dishy dame was 400-340+12-129x2years, today. Don’t tell me you are working out the sums. Well, had a nice time at Tola’s office party. Ate some sumptuous cake and danced to X Project of Sierra Naija.
I beg, no harm in dancing to “O ti faya gbe” vibes when you were in the throes of a workers’ strike.
Very late in the evening, heard that the JUSUN Strike had been suspended. Hurray?

THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2008
At last, the valentine day of love is here. Came to court, expecting work in earnest. Sorry, nothing of such. Only few workers turned up, so cases were adjourned. Couldn’t but help wonder what the workers have actually achieved with the 9 - day strike? Went down to “Great LASU” to attend the Declaration of the New Year of the Judicial Council of the Students’ Union. It was nice seeing Law Students of the varsity (LASU) black and white. In our days, anything, or just about anything went.
Read of the death of Chief Theophilus Benson S.A.N a.k.a ‘Tos’. Tos was more of a politician than a lawyer. The gregarious, flamboyant Ikorodu native passed away at 90, yesterday.

FRIDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court for a few minutes today. Noticed the place was more lively than it was yesterday. Full normalcy would, hopefully return Monday next.