Strike Action: Judiciary Workers Shut Out Judges, Lawyers, Litigants From Federal High Court

Operations at the Federal High Court (FHC) headquarters in Abuja were brought to a standstill on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Federal High Court Chapter, enforced the indefinite strike declared by the union’s national body.

When correspondents from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited the court complex located along Shehu Shagari Way, they observed that all entrance gates to the building were firmly locked, effectively barring access to judges, court staff, lawyers, litigants, and the general public.

Business activities within and around the court premises were completely paralyzed due to the action.

The national leadership of JUSUN had earlier, on May 30, issued a circular signed by its acting national secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, instructing all chapter chairmen to implement a full shutdown effective midnight of Sunday, June 1.

The circular stated, “This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, who was conciliating on our matter.”

The union emphasized its resolve to continue the strike until their demands are met: “We believe that, as directed by the organs of the union, the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.”

JUSUN is demanding the payment of five months’ wage awards, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25/35 percent salary increase.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us 5 months wage awards, implement the 70,000% national minimum wage, and provide the 25/35 percent salary increase. Solidarity forever,” the statement added.

Efforts by NAN to speak with executives of the FHC chapter of JUSUN were unsuccessful, as union leaders were said to be in a closed-door meeting at the time.

While there were indications that some JUSUN chapters across the country may have withdrawn from the strike, as of 9:48 a.m. Monday, the gates of the Federal High Court in Abuja remained locked, with no sign of court activities resuming soon.