By Omoniyi David
Judicial activities were on Monday completely grounded across Kaduna State as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike over the government’s alleged failure to meet their long-standing demands.
The industrial action brought operations at the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Courts, Customary Courts, and Magistrates’ Courts to a halt — with all facilities under lock and key.
Banners reading “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike” were seen hanging at court entrances across the state.
At the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, the scene was no different, as courtrooms remained closed. However, some staff were sighted outside the premises attending to clients seeking affidavits.
The strike followed a notice issued by JUSUN on October 23, 2025, and signed by the union’s Secretary, Nasiru Haruna, after the government allegedly failed to respond to earlier correspondences, including a demand letter dated September 1 and an ultimatum issued on October 9, 2025.
According to the union, several attempts to reach an amicable resolution were ignored, forcing members to “down tools.”
Among the union’s demands are the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), consequential salary adjustments, and payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021.
Other issues include the payment of nine years’ arrears of a 20 per cent salary component (from 2016 to date), settlement of arrears of leave and transport grants, and payment of outfit allowances for judiciary staff.
JUSUN noted that the decision to embark on the strike was reached at an emergency meeting held on October 13, 2025.
The union further directed all judicial units — including high courts, Shari’a courts, customary courts, and other related offices — to ensure total compliance with the strike directive.
