Striking Judiciary Workers Shut Abuja Courts Despite Exemption Notice

 

Eric Patrick 

Judicial operations in Abuja were disrupted on Monday as striking members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) shut the gates of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, preventing judges, lawyers, staff, and litigants from entering the premises.

The closures occurred despite a statement released on Sunday indicating that judiciary workers at the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal High Court would not be joining the nationwide strike.

JUSUN, in a statement dated May 30 and signed by its Acting General Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, had directed its federal branches to begin an indefinite industrial action starting midnight, June 1.

The union blamed the strike on a breakdown in negotiations with the Minister of Labour and Employment.

Key demands include payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25% to 35% salary increase for judiciary workers.

However, the NJC chapter of JUSUN issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joel Ebiloma, on Sunday, stating that the strike would not affect the Supreme Court, the NJC, and the Federal High Court.

According to the statement, the decision was made following an appeal by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who requested a two-week window for government authorities to meet the union’s demands.

Despite this assurance, court premises in Abuja remained closed on Monday, highlighting internal divisions and uncertainty over the enforcement of the strike.