Court activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday came to a standstill after members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) locked the gates and stopped access to the building.
Judges, lawyers, court workers, and other members of the public were turned away as the strike, declared by the union’s national body, officially began.
The union’s national leadership had issued a notice on May 30, instructing all chapters to begin an indefinite strike from midnight on June 1.
This move followed what the union described as failed talks with the Minister of Labour and Employment regarding long-standing issues.
By early morning, all entrances to the court complex on Shehu Shagari Way were shut, with no staff or visitors allowed in.
Business within the court premises and surrounding areas was disrupted as normal operations were put on hold.
The strike action is driven by demands for the payment of five months’ wage awards, full enforcement of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and implementation of the 25 to 35 percent salary increase approved for federal workers.
The union has said it will continue the strike until the government responds to their requests.
Attempts to speak with some of the local union leaders were not successful as they were said to be in a closed-door meeting.
While some reports suggested that a few branches of the union might not be joining the strike, as of 9:48 a.m. on Monday, the Abuja court remained locked.
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