Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has described the shutdown of Nigerian courts by judiciary workers as a “big embarrassment” to the nation.

 

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 2, over several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of five months’ wage awards, failure to implement the proposed ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and the non-enforcement of a 25% to 35% salary increase.

 

In a circular dated May 30 and signed by Acting National Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, JUSUN instructed all chapter chairmen to ensure members stayed away from work starting midnight on June 1.

 

By Monday morning, the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja was under lock and key, with judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants unable to gain access due to the strike.

 

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju confirmed the development in a Facebook post, stating, “Federal High Court gate locked. We can’t go in for our matter this morning because of industrial action by judiciary workers.”

 

Reacting via an X post, Senator Shehu Sani urged the Federal Government to urgently engage with the judiciary workers and meet their demands.

 

“The FG should look into the demands of the Federal Judiciary Staff,” he wrote. “The shutdown of the courts is a big embarrassment. The nation has enough resources to address their legitimate demands.”

 

The ongoing strike has thrown the judiciary into paralysis, raising concerns about delayed justice and access to legal remedies.