In a surprise move, judiciary workers under the Supreme Court, National Judicial Council, and the Federal High Court have withdrawn from a planned strike that was set to begin on Monday. The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, had initially directed its members to withdraw their services from all federal courts and judicial institutions nationwide. However, the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN has now opted out of the strike, citing “cogent and verifiable assurances” from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to a communique signed by 12 principal officers of the Supreme Court Chapter of JUSUN, led by Comrade Danladi Nda, joining the strike would be a “misplacement of priority and neglect” and would result in an “exercise in futility.” The apex court workers expressed their gratitude to the CJN for her intervention, stating that she had already visited the presidency and presented their demands for resolution. The CJN’s efforts have secured “concrete assurances” from federal government agencies that their concerns will be addressed soon, making the strike unnecessary.
The Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN has begun discussions with other federal chapters to drop the planned nationwide industrial action. The union is urging its members to remain calm and patient, allowing the CJN’s efforts to yield meaningful results. A two-week grace period has been granted to the authorities to meet the union’s demands, which include the release of statutory allocations to the Judiciary based on the 2025 Appropriation. This allocation includes arrears of the Wage Award, minimum wage, and salary increases of 25 and 35 percent.
The decision to call off the strike comes as a relief to many, as it avoids potential disruptions to the country’s judicial system. The CJN’s intervention has been praised by the union, which has expressed its unwavering support for her efforts to resolve the outstanding issues. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will meet the union’s demands within the given timeframe, bringing an end to the dispute and ensuring a smooth functioning of the judiciary.
