Judges, Lawyers Locked Out Of Courts In Abuja As JUSUN Begins Indefinite Strike

Judges, lawyers, court workers, and litigants were left stranded on Monday after the Federal High Court in Abuja was shut down due to an indefinite strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

The court building, located on Shehu Shagari Way, had all its entrances locked, bringing all legal proceedings to a halt.

The strike also affected other major courts in the Federal Capital Territory, including the Court of Appeal and the FCT High Court, where similar scenes of closure and confusion played out.

JUSUN’s national leadership had ordered its members across the country to stay at home starting midnight, June 1, after talks with the Minister of Labour and Employment ended without progress.

In a circular dated May 30, signed by Acting National Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, the union stated that the strike would continue until their demands are met.

These include the payment of five months’ wage awards, implementation of a new N70,000 minimum wage, and a 25–35% salary increase.

“This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the minister of labour and employment, who was conciliating on our matter,” reads a circular dated May 30 and signed by M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN’s acting national secretary.

“We believe that as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us 5 months’ wage award, implement the N70,000 national minimum wage, as well as the 25/35 percent salary increase. Solidarity forever.”

Meanwhile, judiciary staff under the National Judicial Council (NJC) and at the Supreme Court opted out of the strike.

In a separate statement issued on Saturday by NJC JUSUN spokesperson Joel Ebiloma, the council explained that they held several meetings with federal judiciary representatives, the labour minister, and other key officials.

He said they agreed to give the Minister of Labour and other key officials two weeks to resolve the issues with the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

As a result, the NJC resolved to give the government two more weeks to resolve the issues, directing its staff to report to work as usual on Monday.

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