Judges And Lawyers Locked Out As JUSUN Launches Indefinite Strike In Abuja.
Courtrooms across Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were brought to a standstill on Monday as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, locking out judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants. The industrial action, which has paralysed judicial activities, follows unresolved demands by the union for improved wages and working conditions.
The Federal High Court (FHC) headquarters along Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja was among the affected institutions, with all entrance gates locked, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The strike, declared by JUSUN’s national leadership, stems from the federal government’s failure to address key demands, including the payment of five months’ wage arrears, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25/35 percent salary increase. “Our demands are clear: the government must pay the outstanding wage awards and implement the agreed salary adjustments. Solidarity forever,” a JUSUN statement read, as reported by our correspondent.
Despite interventions by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, negotiations have proven unfruitful. JUSUN’s FCT High Court chapter chairman, Comrade Abdulrazaq Yusuf, confirmed that members complied with the national directive, shutting down courts in Maitama, Wuse Zone II, Garki, and Nyanya. “The delay in relaying the directive was due to internal consultations, but all avenues have now been exhausted,” Yusuf told journalists at the FCT High Court headquarters.
However, not all judicial bodies joined the strike. The Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) opted out, citing the Chief Justice’s intervention. JUSUN’s NJC chapter spokesperson, Joel Ebiloma, noted that a two-week suspension had been proposed to allow stakeholders to resolve issues with the Accountant General of the Federation regarding statutory allocations for the judiciary.
The strike follows a series of ultimatums issued by JUSUN, including a 21-day notice in January and a seven-day ultimatum in February, demanding the implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS) and other benefits. The union’s persistence underscores growing frustration among judiciary workers, who argue that their counterparts in other public sectors have already received the new minimum wage.
As courtrooms remain under lock and key, the strike is expected to disrupt ongoing cases and delay justice delivery across the country. While some chapters reportedly considered withdrawing from the action, the FHC gates remained locked as of 9:48 a.m. on Monday, signalling strong compliance in Abuja.
JUSUN has vowed to continue the strike until its demands are met, urging the federal government to act swiftly to restore industrial harmony. For now, litigants, lawyers, and judges face an uncertain wait as Nigeria’s judicial system grinds to a halt.