Courts in Kaduna State were shut down on Monday as members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of financial autonomy and delayed entitlements.
The industrial action halted activities across the Federal and State High Courts, Upper Shari’a Courts, as well as Customary and Magistrates’ Courts. Court buildings were locked, displaying banners announcing the strike by the Kaduna State chapter of the union.
Although the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari remained closed, a handful of staff were seen outside attending to residents seeking affidavits.
The action followed a strike notice issued on October 23 by union secretary Nasiru Haruna. JUSUN accused the state government of ignoring several correspondences, including a demand letter dated September 1 and an ultimatum sent on October 9, 2025.
According to the union, repeated appeals for dialogue were met with silence, forcing workers to withdraw their services.
JUSUN’s demands include the implementation of judiciary financial autonomy in line with the 1999 Constitution, payment of withheld salaries for April and May 2021, and consequential salary adjustments. Other demands cover settlement of nine years’ arrears from a 20 percent salary component, leave and transport grant arrears, and outfit allowances for judiciary staff.
The union stated that the decision to embark on the strike was reached during an emergency meeting on October 13, warning that the action would continue until all outstanding issues were resolved.
The shutdown is expected to disrupt both criminal and civil proceedings across the state until the government meets the union’s demands.
