Ondo judiciary strike drags on as talks with Aiyedatiwa end in deadlock

 

The ongoing strike by judiciary workers in Ondo State has persisted after a meeting between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and leaders of the judiciary ended without agreement.

Judicial workers had embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday to protest poor welfare conditions and the state government’s failure to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary.

Patriotic Insights News reports that the meeting, held on Thursday, involved representatives of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, and other judicial stakeholders.

However, the talks collapsed after the workers unanimously rejected what they described as inadequate proposals and assurances from the government.

A senior judicial official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the workers resolved to continue the strike until their demands are fully met.

“Our position remains clear: no financial autonomy, no work,” the source said.

The strike has paralysed judicial activities across the state, with courts remaining shut since Monday.

The situation worsened on Tuesday when members of JUSUN formally joined the action, further grounding court operations.

The Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, and Legal Research Officers in Ondo State confirmed that the strike remains indefinite.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no indication of an immediate resolution, raising concerns about prolonged disruption to the administration of justice in the state.