Courts across Kaduna State were closed on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike to demand, among other things, the full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Federal and State High Courts, as well as the Upper Shari’a, Customary, and Magistrates’ Courts, were locked, with banners displayed at the entrances reading: “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike.”
At the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, courtrooms were also shut.
However, some court staff were seen outside the premises attending to individuals seeking affidavits.
NAN reports that, on October 23, a notice of indefinite strike which was was signed by the Secretary of the union, Nasiru Haruna was issued.
JUSUN said the industrial action was due to the state govrnment’s failure to respond to multiple correspondences, including a demand letter dated September 1 and an ultimatum letter dated October 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 October 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.