Supreme Court, NJC Chapters Back Out Of Planned JUSUN Strike
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Supreme Court and National Judicial Council (NJC) chapters of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have announced their withdrawal from the planned industrial action declared by the union.
The national headquarters of JUSUN had on Friday declared a strike action and directed its members to down tools beginning from midnight on Sunday.
The union said the industrial action became necessary following what it described as unfruitful meetings with the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment over the demands of the workers.
The statement, signed by its General Secretary, M. J. Akwashiki, titled ‘Strike Circular’ and dated May 31, 2025, listed the demands to include the payment of a wage award spanning five months, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, as well as the 25/35 percent salary increase.
However, the Supreme Court chapter, in a statement by its Chairman, Danladi Nda Y., and dated May 31, 2025, said it could not manage the short notice and decisions reached by the chapters at the lower courts.
It said the leadership of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had been making efforts to improve the welfare of workers at the apex court.
The statement read, “A short notice and decisions reached by our colleagues in (lower) sister courts cannot be manageable by us in the Supreme Court. More so, the efforts and struggles of His Lordship, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (CJN), in this matter cannot be put in vain or swept under the carpet but must achieve the desirable result.
“Our chapter is discussing tirelessly with all federal court chapters to put in cognisance of the restless effort and commitment by His Lordship the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
Similarly, the NJC chapter, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Joel Ebiloma, said it was working to “resolve all pending issues”.
It also said it had resolved to give the minister and other critical stakeholders two weeks to solve the pending problems with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“In light of the above, we wish to state clearly that the NJC JUSUN hereby directs all staff to come to the office on Monday.
“This is to allow the relevant stakeholders to engage the necessary authorities to ensure that the Accountant General of the Federation releases the statutory allocations to the judiciary based on the 2025 appropriation in which the arrears wage award, minimum wage, and the 25/35 percent salary increase have been captured,” the statement added.
