The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Ondo State Chapter, says it will continue its indefinite strike following a deadlocked meeting with the Ondo State Government on the issue of financial autonomy for the judiciary.
The strike, which began last Friday, has crippled judicial activities across the state, including the closure of the State High Court and various magistrates’ courts in Akure, the state capital. Offices and courtrooms remained shut as staff continue to press home their demands.
JUSUN declared the industrial action in protest against what it described as the state government’s persistent refusal to implement financial autonomy for the judicial arm — a constitutional provision that guarantees independent funding and operational control.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, the State Secretary of JUSUN, Mr Kehinde Alade, confirmed that a recent meeting with the Ondo State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Philip Bayo, failed to produce any meaningful resolution.
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“The meeting with the Head of Service ended in a deadlock,” Alade said. “We’re still open to future discussions, but as of now, there has been no fruitful engagement from the government.”
Alade added that the union would not back down unless the key stakeholders, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Attorney General of the state, show a genuine commitment to resolving the issue.
“We were asked to shift our ground for negotiation, but we’re not ready for that. Until the people with the real mandate call us to the table, the strike continues,” he asserted.
The impact of the strike is being felt across the legal and justice system in Ondo, as citizens with ongoing cases are left stranded while legal processes are suspended indefinitely.
JUSUN has long advocated for the enforcement of Section 121(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates financial independence for the judiciary. Despite previous nationwide efforts, including similar strikes in other states, implementation has been slow and inconsistent at the sub-national level.
As the standoff drags on, the union insists it will not be intimidated or coerced into compromise unless its demands are met in full.
NAN
