The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun State Chapter, has reaffirmed its resolve to continue its strike until all demands for improved welfare, timely promotion, and staff training are met.
The union made this known on Thursday during a protest at the Osun State High Court complex in Osogbo.
Speaking to journalists, the State Chairman of JUSUN, Mr. Idris Adeniran, said the strike, which began on 19 September, would not be suspended until the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) addresses key issues affecting judiciary workers in the state. These, he said, include the consideration of promotions for 2024 and 2025 and the inclusion of judiciary workers in capacity-building programmes at the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
Adeniran disclosed that the union had yet to reach any concrete agreement with the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo, over the pending demands. He noted that although the Chief Judge had invited the union to a meeting, JUSUN decided that only its national leadership should lead negotiations to prevent “any form of intimidation or harassment” of members.
“We have contacted the JUSUN National President to negotiate on our behalf, and he has promised to come to Osogbo next week,” Adeniran said.
“This struggle is an internal matter within the judiciary. We have no issue with the state government, as it has already released the 2025 promotion circular.”
He further demanded that the promotions for 2023, which were earlier reversed by the Chief Judge, be reinstated for all eligible judiciary workers.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, expressed the congress’s full support for the judiciary workers. He urged Justice Ojo to reconsider her position, noting that the strike fell under her purview as head of the Judicial Service Commission.
Arapasopo added that Governor Ademola Adeleke had already approved the promotion of all categories of state workers in 2024, yet judiciary staff had not received their promotion letters.
“The judiciary workers deserve the same fair treatment as other sectors,” Arapasopo said. “We appeal to the Chief Judge to resolve the issue so that normal activities can return to the courts.”
