The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to federal judiciary bodies to address longstanding grievances or face industrial action. The union’s demands include the implementation of the national minimum wage and other financial entitlements for workers.
The notice, which was conveyed to 11 federal courts and judiciary institutions on January 23, threatens a nationwide disruption of judicial activities. Past strikes by JUSUN have caused significant delays in court proceedings across Nigeria, compounding the nation’s already slow judicial processes.
JUSUN’s circular, dated January 20, was addressed to union chairpersons in key federal judiciary institutions, including:
– The Supreme Court
– Court of Appeal
– National Industrial Court
– Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC)
– FCT High Court
– National Judicial Council (NJC)
– Customary Court of Appeal
– Sharia Court of Appeal
– National Judicial Institute (NJI)
Signed by Acting Secretary M.J. Akwashi, the circular mandates chapters to notify their management of the ultimatum and copy the national secretariat.
JUSUN’s demands include:
– Implementation of the national minimum wage.
– A 25-35% salary increase under the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS).
– A N35,000 wage award approved by the federal government in 2024.
Despite previous agreements, the federal government has yet to release funds for these entitlements, leading to heightened frustration among judiciary workers.
The FCT High Court chapter of JUSUN issued its own ultimatum on January 23, warning of industrial action if the demands remain unfulfilled. The notice, addressed to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, emphasized the union’s inability to guarantee industrial harmony if the federal government fails to act.
The wage crisis extends beyond federal courts to state judiciary institutions. In Abia State, JUSUN workers have been on strike since late 2024 over the government’s failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November. The agreement promised wage increases and payment of outstanding salaries, but the state government has yet to comply.
JUSUN Chairperson Chinedu Ezeh and Secretary Chibueze Nwachukwu accused the Abia government of undermining the financial autonomy of the judiciary. The union has vowed to continue the strike until all demands are met.
A nationwide strike by judiciary workers would paralyze court operations, delaying justice delivery and disrupting the legal system. This latest ultimatum underscores the urgent need for government intervention to resolve the ongoing wage crisis and avert industrial action.
