News Blog – Hobnob News
Akure, Ondo State – Judicial activities across Ondo State were abruptly halted on Friday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ondo State branch, embarked on an indefinite strike over the state government’s failure to fully implement financial autonomy for the judiciary.
By morning, court premises—including the State High Court and Magistrates’ Court in Akure—were under lock and key, effectively barring judges, lawyers, and litigants from entering. The silence across judicial complexes signaled the full impact of the industrial action, with legal proceedings in all 18 local government areas of the state brought to a standstill.
Confirming the strike, Ondo JUSUN Chairman, Oluwafemi Afolabi, told journalists that the union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, which expired without compliance. “We have directed all our members to stay off duty starting from today, June 13, 2025, till further notice,” Afolabi said. “This strike affects every court in all 18 local government areas.”
At the heart of the dispute is the state government’s alleged failure to honor key provisions in a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding financial independence for the judiciary. Despite repeated engagements and reminders, JUSUN says the government continues to renege on its obligations.
In an earlier statement, JUSUN Secretary Kehinde Alade expressed deep frustration: “Regrettably, the state government has reneged on certain parts of the agreements outlined in the MOU. This persistent failure has taken a serious toll on our members who have waited patiently since 2015.”
The union had warned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa last week to take decisive action within seven days or face a statewide shutdown of the judiciary. With no resolution reached, the strike began as planned.
Efforts to get a response from the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, were unsuccessful as of Friday morning. However, a source close to the commissioner confirmed that a meeting between government officials and union representatives on Wednesday ended in a deadlock.
“The meeting did not yield any resolution because both sides failed to reach common ground,” the aide said.
As the strike drags on, legal practitioners and the public are left in limbo, awaiting either a breakthrough in negotiations or further escalation.
