The Federal High Court (FHC) headquarters in Abuja was on total lockdown Monday morning as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) enforced an indefinite nationwide strike, leaving judges, lawyers, staff, and litigants stranded outside the court premises.
A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the court complex, located along Shehu Shagari Way, confirmed that all entrances to the building were firmly locked. The usually busy corridors of the judiciary were deserted, with legal practitioners and court users turned away by union members enforcing the strike.
The shutdown follows a circular dated May 30, 2025, issued by the acting National Secretary of JUSUN, M.J. Akwashiki, directing all chapters to commence a sit-at-home action effective from midnight, June 1. The directive cited failed negotiations with the Minister of Labour and Employment over unresolved labour issues.
“This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment who was conciliating on our matter,” the circular read. “We believe that as directed by the organs of the union—National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC)—the action will continue until further notice.”
JUSUN is demanding the immediate payment of a five-month wage award, the implementation of the proposed ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage, and a 25/35 percent salary increase for judiciary workers.
As of 9:48 a.m. Monday, the gates of the Federal High Court remained padlocked. Efforts to reach union executives for comments were unsuccessful, as they were reportedly engaged in an internal meeting.
Despite reports that some chapters of the union may have opted out of the strike, enforcement in Abuja appears firm, with full compliance observed at the FHC.
The industrial action has effectively paralyzed judicial proceedings nationwide, with no indication yet of when the deadlock will be resolved.
