Judiciary workers suspend strike after CJN intervention

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, on Tuesday, called off its indefinite strike, which began on Sunday night.

The union in a communiqué, on Monday, signed by JUSUN National Vice-President, Mustapha Laminu and principal officers of various sections of the judiciary, mandated workers to resume work on Wednesday.

Recalled that JUSUN, through its acting General Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, declared the strike, citing unproductive meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The union mentioned issues including non-payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25 per cent/35 per cent salary increase captured in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

In Monday’s communiqué calling off the strike, the JUSUN cited assurances obtained from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the Nigeria Labour Congress and other stakeholders.

The communique held that the CJN and other relevant stakeholders demanded one month to engage the Federal Government to ensure the release of funds to the judiciary, after which the JUSUN demands will be addressed.

The communiqué read, “That the JUSUN oblige the noble intervention of the Honourable, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi; NLC and other stakeholders.

To give the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and the relevant stakeholders to engage the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the release of funds to the Judiciary within one month.

“That upon the release of the funds to the judiciary, the demands by the JUSUN: implementation of the N70,000.00 new minimum wage and its arrears, 25/33 per cent salary increase and five months wage award and their arrears to be implemented immediately.

“Consequent upon the commitment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, JUSUN and its organs after due consideration agreed to suspend the ongoing industrial strike action. With this development, members of staff are hereby directed to resume work tomorrow Wednesday, 4th June 2025.”

Before suspending the strike, the gates of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja were shut while the Supreme Court staff did not participate in the strike as previously indicated in its communiqué.