By Our reporter
Judiciary workers in Enugu State, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), have resumed an indefinite strike to protest the state government’s failure to implement the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS), a harmonized pay system aimed at improving the welfare of judiciary staff across the country.
The industrial action, which began earlier this week, has paralyzed judicial activities across courts in the state, with staff withdrawing their services and locking up court premises. The workers insist they will not return to work until the state government fully implements the CONJUSS framework and addresses lingering welfare issues.
In a strongly worded statement, the union accused senior judiciary officials of complicity in the delay, alleging that some top judges are actively frustrating efforts to achieve full financial autonomy for the judiciary in Enugu. According to the union, the lack of independence in managing judiciary funds is one of the root causes of the ongoing salary disputes.
“The judiciary is supposed to be an independent arm of government, yet we are being subjected to political interference and denial of our rights,” said a union official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Some of our own leaders within the judiciary are not only silent but are working behind the scenes to sabotage the financial autonomy that would ensure prompt and fair remuneration for judiciary workers.”
The strike follows months of unheeded appeals by the union for the state to implement the improved salary structure, which has already been adopted in several other states. JUSUN maintains that the federal government and the National Judicial Council (NJC) have made it clear that financial autonomy is non-negotiable for the proper functioning of the judiciary.
Legal practitioners and civil society groups have expressed concern over the development, warning that the continued shutdown of courts in Enugu could delay the administration of justice and affect ongoing legal proceedings, particularly those involving pre-election and post-election matters.
Efforts by journalists to reach the Enugu State Attorney-General and the Chief Judge of the state for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, JUSUN has vowed to sustain the strike action until all their demands are met and judicial independence in both funding and administration is guaranteed.
