Presiding judges of over 80 Upper Area and Customary Courts in Nasarawa State have protested their inability to carry out official duties due to blockades by striking judicial workers. The protest follows an emergency meeting in Lafia, chaired by the Chairman of the Area Court Judges Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ado Musa. The judges expressed concerns about the disruption of court activities by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
The Area Court Judges Association of Nigeria stated that its members are presiding officers and not members of JUSUN, yet they are being denied access to their courtrooms and offices. The association's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kikah Yamusa, presented a communique highlighting the impact of the blockade on justice delivery at the grassroots level. Upper Area and Customary Courts handle cases such as land disputes, family and inheritance matters, and communal conflicts.
The blockade is crippling justice delivery, as these courts handle the bulk of cases for ordinary citizens. The association called on its members to remain calm and appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to provide adequate protection and ensure uninterrupted access to their courts. The association emphasized that the strike is not their own, but it is affecting their ability to perform their duties.
When contacted, the State Chairman of JUSUN, Mr. Mas'ud Ubangari, declined to comment on the matter. However, LEADERSHIP reports that the current standoff is the latest chapter in a protracted labour crisis in the Nasarawa State judiciary. JUSUN had directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from midnight on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The union's demands include the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, financial autonomy for the judiciary, and a 58.1 per cent salary increase. The union also demands the implementation of pending staff conversions and payment of outstanding promotion allowances. These demands have been the subject of negotiations between JUSUN and the government.
The strike has caused significant disruptions to court activities, with many cases pending or adjourned indefinitely. The Area Court Judges Association of Nigeria has urged the government to take urgent steps to resolve the crisis and ensure that justice is delivered to the people. The association emphasized that the strike is affecting not only the judges but also the ordinary citizens who rely on the courts to resolve their disputes.
The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight. The Nasarawa State Government has not made an official statement on the matter, but it is expected to engage with JUSUN and the Area Court Judges Association of Nigeria to find a solution. The key points of contention remain the implementation of the union's demands and the blockade of the courts.
Key points
- The blockade by JUSUN is disrupting justice delivery at the grassroots level in Nasarawa State.
- The Area Court Judges Association of Nigeria has appealed to the government to provide adequate protection and ensure uninterrupted access to their courts.
- The strike by JUSUN is over demands including the implementation of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance and financial autonomy for the judiciary.
