Courtrooms Shut Down as Ondo Judiciary Workers Strike

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ondo State chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike action, effectively grounding judicial activities across the state. As a result, judges, lawyers, court officials, and litigants were barred from accessing court premises beginning Friday, June 13, 2025.

The industrial action, which began early Friday morning, saw the main entrances of the Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court and the Magistrates’ Court complex under lock and key, halting all proceedings and legal operations within and around the facilities.

Confirming the commencement of the strike, the Ondo JUSUN Chairman, Mr. Oluwafemi Afolabi, told The Nation that the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the state government.

According to him, the government had failed to honour key aspects of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the financial autonomy of the state judiciary.

“We have instructed all our members to withdraw from duty with effect from today, June 13, 2025, until further notice,” Afolabi stated. “All members are to strictly comply with the industrial action directives.”

Mr. Afolabi further explained that the strike affects all courts across the 18 local government areas of the state, as the government’s continuous delay in implementing judiciary financial autonomy has become unacceptable.

“This industrial action has become necessary due to the government’s failure to implement certain provisions of the MOU that guarantees financial independence for the judiciary in Ondo State,” he said. “All courts across the state are consequently shut down.”

It would be recalled that just last week, JUSUN issued a final seven-day ultimatum to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, demanding immediate implementation of the MOU or risk a statewide shutdown of court operations.

In a jointly signed notice by Afolabi and the union’s secretary, Mr. Kehinde Alade, the union expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to uphold its commitments despite repeated engagements.

“Regrettably, the state government has failed to implement key provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, and this continued breach has negatively impacted the welfare and morale of our members,” the statement read.

“Having exercised patience since 2015 without any meaningful progress, we are left with no option but to issue a seven-calendar-day ultimatum. The government must address all reneged aspects of the agreement upon receipt of our letter.”

Meanwhile, efforts to get an official response from the state government were unsuccessful. As of Friday morning, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, could not be reached for comment.

However, a source close to Mr. Ajulo disclosed that a meeting was held on Wednesday between JUSUN officials and representatives of the state government in a bid to resolve the matter. Unfortunately, the meeting ended in a stalemate.

“The dialogue between both parties failed to produce any workable resolution,” the aide revealed. “There was no agreement or progress made during the discussions.”

As the strike enters its first day, legal activities across Ondo State remain at a standstill, raising concerns over prolonged disruption to justice delivery if the impasse persists.