By Peter Omopo
Kaduna | October 27, 2025 — Court activities across Kaduna State were brought to a standstill on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike to demand the implementation of judicial financial autonomy and payment of outstanding entitlements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all levels of courts — including the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Courts, Customary Courts, and Magistrates’ Courts — were under lock and key, with banners at their entrances reading: “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike.”
At the Shari’a Court, Magajin Gari, the situation was no different as courtrooms remained shut. A few judiciary staff members were, however, seen outside the premises, attending to clients who came for affidavit services.
The strike, which officially began on Monday, follows the union’s claim that the state government ignored several letters and reminders seeking redress over unpaid benefits and the long-delayed implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.
In a strike notice dated October 23, and signed by the State Secretary of JUSUN, Nasiru Haruna, the union said it had made “repeated but fruitless efforts” to engage the government through correspondences, including a demand letter dated September 1 and an ultimatum issued on October 9, 2025.
“All efforts to reach an amicable resolution have been ignored, leaving us with no option but to down tools,”
the union stated.
The strike decision, according to JUSUN, was ratified at an emergency meeting held on October 13, where members unanimously voted for a total shutdown of all judicial operations in the state.
The union’s key demands include:
- Implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
- Payment of consequential salary adjustments owed to staff.
- Settlement of withheld salaries for April and May 2021.
- Payment of nine years’ arrears of a 20 percent salary component from 2016 to date.
- Settlement of outstanding leave and transport grants covering nine years.
- Payment of outfit allowances due to judiciary staff.
The union further directed all judicial divisions and departments — including the High Courts, Shari’a Courts, Customary Courts, and Judicial Service Commission offices — to ensure full compliance with the industrial action until their demands are met.
The shutdown has already disrupted court proceedings and delayed several ongoing cases across the state. Legal practitioners and litigants expressed concern that the strike could compound the backlog of pending cases if the government fails to intervene promptly.
The Kaduna State Government has yet to issue an official response as of press time.
