Kaduna judiciary paralyzed as JUSUN, State gov't clash over autonomy

By Obasola Olatunde

Judicial activities across Kaduna State have been brought to a standstill following an indefinite strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), as tensions deepen between the union and the state government over the non implementation of financial autonomy and other long standing welfare issues.

From the Federal and State High Courts to Magistrates’ and Sharia Courts, court premises were deserted on Monday, with gates locked and banners announcing the industrial action hanging at entrances.

At the Magajin Gari Sharia Court, some staff were seen outside the locked complex attending to clients who required affidavits, while litigants and lawyers lamented the disruption to ongoing cases.

The strike, announced in a notice dated October 23, was signed by the JUSUN State Secretary, Nasiru Haruna, who accused the government of ignoring repeated appeals and correspondences including a demand letter of September 1 and an ultimatum issued on October 9, 2025.

“Our patience has been exhausted. All attempts to resolve these matters peacefully were disregarded by the state government,” Haruna stated. “This strike will continue until our demands are fully met.”

The union is demanding, among other things, full judicial financial autonomy as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, payment of withheld 2021 salaries, and settlement of nine-year arrears of allowances and salary adjustments.

The industrial action, JUSUN said, was the outcome of an emergency meeting held on October 13, where members unanimously resolved to “withdraw their services indefinitely.”

Legal practitioners have warned that the strike could stall thousands of cases, delay bail hearings, and worsen prison congestion across the state if not resolved promptly.

As of press time, the Kaduna State Government had yet to respond officially to the union’s grievances.