The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Enugu Chapter, has confirmed the start of an indefinite strike over unpaid salary arrears.

Mr. Sampson Ifedimma, the state JUSUN chairman, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Enugu.

He explained that the strike is a resumption of earlier suspended industrial action over non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure and other outstanding entitlements.

NAN reports that JUSUN has persistently agitated in several states against the non-implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries under Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

This constitutional provision requires that judicial officers’ salaries, allowances and pensions be paid directly from state judiciary consolidated funds, and not through executive or civil service channels.

Ifedimma said the strike began on Friday, following a directive from the JUSUN national body, instructing Enugu judiciary workers to withdraw services effective 6:00 p.m.

“We are not on strike for luxury or frivolities. We are on strike because, in spite of autonomy, workers’ welfare has been neglected,” he stated.

He stressed that while the state government had implemented judiciary autonomy, staff sacrifices were ignored. “Silence in the face of injustice is betrayal,” Ifedimma added.

He urged the Chief Judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Enugu to immediately start payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, pending since 2018.

Ifedimma further demanded payment of four months’ arrears owed staff employed in the High Court since October 2022, and seven months’ arrears for those in the Customary Court.

According to him, JUSUN in Enugu is only asking the heads of courts to implement the consolidated salary structure in a way that accommodates staff welfare.

He noted that the national body was available for negotiations if invited, adding the strike would be suspended once their demands were fully met. (The Guardian)