Court proceedings at the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some courts across the country were grounded on Monday, as the nationwide strike declared by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) took effect.
The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos State, came to a standstill.
Also, the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, was deserted, with activities grounded to a halt, following the nationwide strike by the union.
JUSUN’s national leadership had, in a circular dated May 30, 2025, and signed by the Acting National Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, directed all state chapters to embark on an indefinite strike beginning at midnight on Sunday, June 1.
The union stated that the industrial action became necessary after negotiations with the Federal Government broke down.
It bemoaned the Federal Government’s inability to release funds for the N70,000 minimum wage, settle the five-month wage arrears, and implement the 25/35 per cent salary increase.
While the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, reportedly intervened, leading to members working in the Supreme Court and National Judicial Council to opt out of the strike, some state chapters observed the strike on Monday.
But, courts located at Igbosere and Oyinkan Abayomi Drive respectively in Lagos were under lock and key, with court gates tightly shut, leaving judges, lawyers, litigants, and members of the public stranded outside.
“This is very frustrating. I have a matter that has been adjourned multiple times, and now the court is locked. We are suffering,” said one litigant, visibly agitated.
Legal practitioners decried the impact of the strike on access to justice and the overall functioning of the judicial system.
“This is not just about shutting gates, it’s about denying people their day in court. The backlog of cases will only get worse,” a senior lawyer remarked.