Enugu, Nigeria: The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Enugu Chapter, has declared an indefinite strike, plunging the state’s judicial system into paralysis over unpaid salary arrears and delayed implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS).
Mr Sampson Ifedimma, the state JUSUN chairman, confirmed the development in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Enugu.
He explained that the strike is a resumption of earlier suspended industrial action over non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure and other outstanding entitlements.
JUSUN has persistently agitated in several states against the non-implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries under Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
This constitutional provision requires that judicial officers’ salaries, allowances and pensions be paid directly from state judiciary consolidated funds, and not through executive or civil service channels.
Ifedimma said the strike began on Friday, following a directive from the JUSUN national body, instructing Enugu judiciary workers to withdraw services effective 6:00 p.m.
“We are not on strike for luxury or frivolities. We are on strike because, despite autonomy, workers’ welfare has been neglected,” he stated.
He stressed that while the state government had implemented judicial autonomy, staff sacrifices were ignored. “Silence in the face of injustice is betrayal,” Ifedimma added.
He urged the Chief Judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Enugu to immediately start payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, which has been pending since 2018.
Ifedimma further demanded payment of four months’ arrears owed to staff employed in the High Court since October 2022, and seven months’ arrears for those in the Customary Court.
According to him, JUSUN in Enugu is only asking the heads of courts to implement the consolidated salary structure in a way that accommodates staff welfare.
He noted that the national body was available for negotiations if invited, adding that the strike would be suspended once their demands were fully met.
