Kaduna Courts Closed As Judiciary Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

Courts across Kaduna State were shut on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike to demand the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and other pending entitlements.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), operations were halted at the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Court, Customary Court, and Magistrates’ Courts. Banners bearing the inscription, “JUSUN Kaduna State Chapter Embarks on Strike,” were displayed at court entrances.

At the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, the situation was the same, with courtrooms locked, though some staff members were seen attending to clients outside the premises for affidavit services.

The strike notice, issued on October 23 and signed by the union’s secretary, Nasiru Haruna, stated that the action followed the state government’s failure to address several letters, including a demand dated September 1 and an ultimatum issued on October 9, 2025.

“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.

JUSUN listed its demands to include the enforcement of judiciary financial autonomy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the implementation of consequential salary adjustments, and payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021.

Other demands include the payment of nine years’ arrears of a 20 percent salary component from 2016, settlement of outstanding leave and transport grants, and payment of outfit allowances for judiciary workers.

The union noted that the decision to embark on the strike was reached at an emergency meeting held on October 13 after all previous attempts to resolve the issues amicably were ignored. It directed all courts and judicial offices across the state to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.