Courts in Kaduna State were shut on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike to demand the implementation of financial autonomy and other pending entitlements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Court, Customary and Magistrates’ Courts were all under lock and key, with banners on their gates reading: “JUSUN Kaduna State chapter embarks on strike.”
At the Shari’a Court Magajin Gari, the situation was similar, as courtrooms remained closed. However, some staff members were seen outside the premises attending to clients who needed affidavits.
NAN gathered that on October 23, a notice of indefinite strike signed by the union’s Secretary, Nasiru Haruna, was issued to members.
According to JUSUN, the strike became necessary following the Kaduna State Government’s failure to respond to multiple correspondences, including a demand letter dated September 1 and an ultimatum letter dated October 9, 2025.
The union stated that efforts to reach an amicable resolution had been ignored, leaving it with no option but to down tools.
JUSUN listed its key demands to include the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), implementation of consequential salary adjustments, and payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021.
Other demands include the payment of nine years’ arrears of a 20 percent salary component from 2016 to date, settlement of arrears of leave and transport grants covering nine years, and payment of outfit allowances for judiciary staff.
The union explained that the decision to embark on the industrial action was reached at an emergency meeting held on October 13.
“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 read in part.
It also directed all courts and judicial units — including the High Courts, Sharia Courts, Customary Courts, and other judicial offices across the state — to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
(NAN)
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