Courts across Kaduna State were shut on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike to demand financial autonomy and other outstanding entitlements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Courts, Customary and Magistrates’ Courts were all under lock and key, with banners at the entrances reading: “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike.”
At the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, courtrooms remained closed, though some staff were seen outside attending to clients requiring affidavits.
A notice of indefinite strike, dated 23 October and signed by the union’s Secretary, Mr. Nasiru Haruna, accused the state government of ignoring several correspondences, including a demand letter issued on 1 September and an ultimatum dated 9 October.
JUSUN said its decision followed the government’s continued refusal to address its grievances despite multiple appeals for dialogue.
The union’s demands include the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), implementation of consequential salary adjustments, and payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021.
Other demands are the payment of nine years’ arrears of a 20 per cent salary component dating back to 2016, settlement of accumulated leave and transport grants for nine years, and payment of outfit allowances.
According to the notice, the strike decision was adopted at an emergency meeting held on 13 October.
“An indefinite strike action shall begin on Monday. All activities of the Kaduna State Judiciary shall be shut down. All staff are to withdraw their services until further notice,” the statement said.
The union directed all courts and judicial offices across the state to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
