Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has taken decisive steps to resolve the ongoing strike by judiciary workers, meeting with leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and key stakeholders on Monday.
The industrial action, now in its third week, was initiated to demand full implementation of a 2015 agreement on financial autonomy for the state judiciary.
State Attorney General Kayode Ajulo confirmed the productive discussions, revealing that both parties reached an understanding that could lead to the strike’s suspension.
He described the situation as complex, stating: “The ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is layered with political complexity and requires thoughtful navigation.”
Ajulo explained the government’s position regarding the financial autonomy dispute: “There are critical ambiguities surrounding the implementation of the judgment on financial autonomy. The Judgment obtained by some overzealous elements, while affirming autonomy, lacks specific directives on allocation ratios and the precise distribution of funds among various judicial bodies as well as other agencies of Government.”
The Attorney General emphasized the administration’s commitment to due process: “This lack of clarity and the setting aside of some provisions of Ondo State Judiciary Fund Management (Autonomy) Law, 2021 has led the government to seek judicial interpretation through a formal appeal, a necessary step to avoid missteps and ensure lawful compliance.” He added: “What must be made clear is this: the government has neither acted in bad faith nor shown disregard for the judiciary.”
JUSUN Chairman Oluwafemi Afolabi acknowledged the governor’s intervention, confirming the union’s readiness to suspend the action: “We are willing to suspend the strike once necessary circular that reflects the agreement is released by the state government.”
The breakthrough follows weeks of paralyzed court operations across Ondo State, with workers demanding the release of funds as stipulated in the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding.
