The Enugu State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has declared the resumption of its previously suspended strike, citing the continued non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure and other outstanding salary arrears.
JUSUN has long protested in various states over what it describes as the failure to implement financial autonomy for state judiciaries, as outlined in Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
This section mandates that salaries, allowances, and pensions of judicial officers and staff be paid directly from the state judiciary’s consolidated funds, rather than through the state’s civil service or executive arm.
In a circular dated September 12 and signed by Chairman Comrade Sampson Ifedimma and Secretary Comrade Onyia Jonas, the union instructed all judiciary workers in Enugu State to begin an indefinite withdrawal of services starting from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025.
“We are not on strike for luxury or frivolities. We are on strike because while the Executive Governor of Enugu State has courageously implemented the Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary in the state, workers’ welfare has been neglected and their sacrifices totally ignored, and we know that silence in the face of injustice is betrayal,” the union stated.
The strike, the union stated, aims to compel the Chief Judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal to; “Commence Immediate Payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure to all judiciary staff in Enugu State, pending since 2018; payment of four months’ salary arrears owed to staff employed in the High Court on October 1, 2022, and seven months’ arrears owed to staff employed in the Customary Court of Appeal on the same date.”
The union expressed disappointment over Governor Mbah’s announcement of full implementation of judicial financial autonomy in Enugu State, noting that this autonomy has not been operationalised for the benefit of judiciary staff.
“The entire Judiciary Staff of Enugu State received with shock and deep disappointment the revelation made by the Executive Governor of Enugu State during the just concluded NBA Conference.
“While this historic announcement ought to bring relief and joy to the judiciary workers in Enugu State, it is regrettable that the Chief Judge of Enugu State and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal have deliberately refused to operationalise this autonomy for the benefit of the Judiciary Staff in Enugu State. Most painfully, they have failed to address the long-standing demand for the payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUS), pending since 2018.
“Even more worrisome is their refusal to pay the Four (4) months’ arrears of Salary owed to staff employed into the high Court on 1” October, 2022, Seven (7) months arrears of Salary owed to Judiciary Staff employed into the Customary Court of Appeal on the same date, despite all our entreaties, all this while.
“These injustices are a direct affront on the welfare and dignity of judiciary workers in Enugu State. This is nothing short of injustice. It is an assault on the sacrifices, labour, and humanity of judiciary workers in the state.
“The Union is profoundly disheartened that, despite having exercised utmost restraint and consideration over the years in pressing for her legitimate rights, largely on account of the absence of full implementation of Financial Autonomy in the State, Judiciary workers have been callously abandoned, left to languish in neglect, denied their lawful entitlements, and compelled to endure a calculated deprivation of their rightful welfare packages even as the financial Autonomy has been finally implemented by the current administration in the state”, the statement read.
JUSUN emphasised its commitment to constructive dialogue, stating, “The Union remains open to strategic and constructive dialogue with relevant authorities, provided such engagement leads to a rapid and genuine resolution of the issues at stake.”
The Union leaders unequivocally stated that the industrial action will continue until all demands are fully met.
“Therefore, this industrial action shall continue until our demands are fully met. However, the Union remains open to strategic and constructive dialogue with relevant authorities, provided such engagement leads to a rapid and genuine resolution of the issues at stake.
“We call on all our members to remain resolute, united, and disciplined in this collective struggle for justice, fairness, and dignity,” the statement concluded.