JUSUN Strike Shuts Down Federal High Court in Abuja, Other Key Courts

Judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants have been locked out of the Federal High Court (FHC) headquarters in Abuja today, Monday, June 2, 2025, following the commencement of an indefinite strike by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

The court complex, located along Shehu Shagari Way, was completely shut, with all entrances locked, effectively halting all legal and administrative activities within and around the premises.

The industrial action also disrupted proceedings at other major courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including the Court of Appeal and the FCT High Court. Legal practitioners and litigants were left stranded as courtrooms remained inaccessible.

The strike action stems from a directive issued by the national body of JUSUN, which ordered all chapter chairmen to implement a stay-at-home order starting at midnight on June 1.

According to Acting National Secretary of JUSUN, Moses Akwashiki, the strike follows several failed conciliatory meetings convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment regarding the union’s unresolved demands.

“This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the minister of labour and employment, who was conciliating on our matter,” the circular dated May 30 and signed by Akwashiki reads.

“We believe that as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us 5 months’ wage award, implement the N70,000 national minimum wage, as well as the 25/35 per cent salary increase. Solidarity forever.”

However, judiciary staff under the National Judicial Council (NJC) and those working in the Supreme Court have opted out of the strike.

In a separate statement released on Saturday, Spokesperson for the NJC chapter of JUSUN, Joel Ebiloma, disclosed that following the strike directive, several meetings were held between JUSUN representatives from federal judicial bodies, the Minister of Labour, and other key stakeholders in the judiciary.

Ebiloma said it was agreed that the NJC should give the labour minister and other critical stakeholders a two-week window to resolve the issues with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

“In the light of the above, we wish to state clearly that the NJC JUSUN hereby directs all staff to come to the office on Monday,” the statement reads.

As the strike continues, uncertainty looms over the operations of many courts across the country, while the union insists that its demands must be met before normal activities can resume.