Nigeria, June 1 -- It was a Monday morning in May. By then, the judiciary workers' nationwide strike had kept courts across the country shut for five weeks. So, it was reasonable to expect the courts' gates to be closed.

However, at the High Court premises in Kubwa, a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, such an expectation was far from reality.

Touts, photographers, and court officials were seen loitering around the premises. They surged towards whoever came in their direction scrambling to win the attention of the visitors. There was also free movement in and out of the court premises.

After observing the activities around the court on May 10, our reporter, the next day, inserted himself in the curious scenes...