The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia State chapter, has maintained its ongoing strike, defying two separate agreements signed with the Abia State government aimed at resolving their grievances.
Last week, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, announced that an agreement had been reached with JUSUN members to end the strike. However, JUSUN, under the leadership of Chinedu Ezeh, has remained steadfast in its position, insisting that its members will not return to work until the state government credits their accounts with funds. This demand is in addition to the over N300 million reportedly released by the state government in December 2024.
“We are going to wait till we get our accounts credited,” Ezeh stated, underscoring the union’s commitment to its demands.
JUSUN’s key demands include payment of the old and new minimum wage welfare packages, among other entitlements. Meanwhile, the state government has emphasized its efforts to support judiciary staff, asserting that significant steps have been taken for their benefit.
The prolonged strike has severely impacted the administration of justice in the state. Some lawyers, lamented being effectively out of work, with numerous case files piling up due to the court closures. The situation has also exacerbated overcrowding in correctional facilities, as clients of lawyers—including families of inmates awaiting trial in Umuahia and Aba correctional centres—are calling for a resolution.
One affected individual, Mazi Jonathan, whose son is an awaiting-trial inmate in Umuahia Correctional Centre, pleaded for an end to the strike. “Government and judiciary workers should end this strike now for my son’s sake, please,” he said, highlighting the toll on those seeking justice.
The strike has further disrupted activities beyond the legal sphere. Bank customers, individuals involved in real estate transactions requiring court documentation, and others planning international travel have been unable to process essential legal documents due to the closure of the courts.
While the Abia State government asserts that over N300 million was released in December to address judiciary staff needs, JUSUN executives contend that their outstanding demands amount to approximately N900 million.
The strike’s impact was also highlighted during a three-day meeting organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in December 2024. Stakeholders, including journalists, identified the industrial action as a major impediment to the administration of criminal justice in the state.
As the impasse continues, calls for a lasting resolution are growing, with many urging both the government and JUSUN to prioritize the public interest and restore normalcy in the state’s judicial system.
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