Ondo state judicial workers embark on indefinite strike over autonomy, non-release of funds
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), of Ondo State Branch, on Friday began an indefinite strike to compel the state government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary.
Penpushing reports that the workers said their decision to down tools followed the expiration of the latest ultimatum issued to the state government on June 4, 2025 and the refusal to address the reneged parts of the agreements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on May 20, 2025.
The Secretary of the union, Alade Kehinde, in a statement stated that the leadership has directed all members to stay off duty starting from June 13, 2025, till further directive and to adhere strictly to the industrial action guidelines.
“We direct all our members to stay off duty starting from tomorrow, 13 June 2025, till further directive and to adhere strictly to the industrial action guidelines. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all our members during this period,” Kehinde said.
Penpushing further reports that, the union emphasized that the continuous refusal by the state government to honour these agreements has had adverse effects on their members, calling the government to implement the judgment delivered on October 7, 2024 regarding the financial autonomy of the Ondo State Judiciary, as outlined in suit No. A16/18M/2024.
The union said that a court of competent jurisdiction gave the judgement following the mandamus’s application for judicial review, stressing that Section 121 (3) of the Constitution guarantees the financial independence of the Ondo State Judiciary.
Penpushing also reports the union noted that the provision mandates that any amount earmarked for the judiciary and standing to its credit in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be paid directly to the head of the court.
‘The court’s judgment is clear and unambiguous, compelling the following actions: Compliance by the Ondo State Governor, Attorney General, and Accountant General: We urge you to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 121 (3) of the Constitution’, the union stated.
Penpushing reports that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), explained that failure to comply within the timeframe had left it with no option but to resume its suspended industrial action.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan when contacted said the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, was in a position to respond.
Penpushing further reports that as the time of filing this report the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, could not be reach, following switched off response from his phone, while in same vein did not respond to messages sent to him through the line.
The union, it is recalled in June last year, first wrote to the government, issuing a 21-day ultimatum to comply with a court judgement on the issue in accordance with the Constitution, but there was no response, and equally issued another ultimatum of seven days last week, which expired on Thursday.
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