Federal Courts Locked, Judges Stranded as Judiciary Staff Union Embarks on Indefinite Strike
Byline: IDNN National Labour & Judiciary Desk
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has crippled the federal judicial system as it commenced an indefinite strike across the country on Monday, June 2, 2025, citing failed negotiations and unpaid entitlements.
All Federal High Court entrances in Abuja were locked by Monday morning, leaving judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff stranded and unable to access the building.
This comes after the union issued a May 30 circular directing workers across all federal courts to stay home over unpaid wage awards, the delayed implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and the outstanding 25/35% salary adjustment for judiciary workers.
“Our members are staying away until further notice,” declared JUSUN Public Relations Officer, Gideon A. Maku. “The government has failed to fulfill basic agreements.”
DSS Engagement Fails, Supreme Court Withdraws
Despite a four-hour emergency meeting with the Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday, JUSUN officials say there was no meaningful progress.
A source at the meeting said the union was “not persuaded” by the government’s position and insisted the strike would proceed.
However, in a twist, the Supreme Court Chapter of JUSUN and the National Judicial Council (NJC) opted out of the industrial action. In a communiqué signed by twelve executives, the chapter cited its “institutional peculiarities” and the ongoing interventions of Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Comrade Mohammed Isah, Supreme Court Chapter Secretary, confirmed their position: “Staff should remain at home only if they are under the Federal High Court chapter. Supreme Court workers are not participating.”
Demands: N70,000 Wage, 25/35% Adjustment, Arrears
The union is demanding:
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Full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage
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Immediate disbursement of five months’ wage arrears
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Enforcement of a 25% and 35% salary increment across judiciary cadres
The Federal High Court Chapter accuses the federal government of stalling on agreements reached during earlier conciliatory meetings with the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
