Courts shut as judiciary workers begin strike in Kaduna

By Aisha Gambo

The Federal and State high courts, Upper Shari’a court, Customary and Magistrates’ courts in Kaduna were under lock and key on Monday as members of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) began an indefinite strike to press home several demands.

The striking staff placed banners reading: “JUSUN Kaduna state chapter embarks on strike, “ on the gate of the court to indicate they are not at work.

Also affected was the Shari’a court Magajin Gari, were the court rooms were closed.

However, some staff members of the court were seen outside the court premises, attending to clients who need affidavits.

JUSUN had On Oct. 23, issued a notice of indefinite strike which was was signed by the Secretary of the union, Nasiru Haruna to the state government.

JUSUN said the industrial action was due to the state govrnment’s failure to respond to multiple correspondences, including a demand letter dated Sept. 1 and an ultimatum letter dated Oct. 9, 2025.

According to the union, all efforts to reach an amicable resolution had been ignored, leaving it with no option but to down tools.

The union listed its 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 are 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 said the decision to embark on the strike was taken at an emergency meeting held on Oct. 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 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)