Kaduna courts shut as judiciary staff begins indefinite strike

Judicial activities in Kaduna State were on Monday paralysed 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 all courts in the state — including the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Courts, Customary Courts, and Magistrates’ Courts — were locked, with banners at the entrances announcing: “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike.”

At the Shari’a Court, Magajin Gari, courtrooms were also closed, although some staff members were seen outside attending to clients seeking affidavits.

The union had earlier, on October 23, issued a strike notice signed by its Secretary, Nasiru Haruna, after several unsuccessful attempts to get the state government to address its demands.

According to JUSUN, the industrial action followed the 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 said all efforts to resolve the issues amicably had been ignored, leaving it with no choice but to withdraw services indefinitely.

JUSUN’s key demands include the implementation of judicial financial autonomy as provided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021, implementation of consequential salary adjustments.

Others include the settlement of nine years’ arrears of a 20 percent salary component from 2016 to date, and payment of outfit allowances and leave/transport grants covering the same nine-year period.

The union said the decision to embark on the strike was reached at an emergency meeting held on October 13, after it became evident that the government was unwilling to engage in dialogue.

“All activities of the Kaduna State Judiciary shall be shut down.

“All staff are to withdraw their services until further notice,” the union’s statement declared.

It also directed full compliance across all judicial institutions in the state, including High Courts, Shari’a Courts, Customary Courts, and judicial offices, until their demands are met.