Judicial activities came to a complete halt across Ondo State on Monday following the commencement of an indefinite strike by magistrates, presidents of Grade A customary courts and legal research officers over judicial autonomy and welfare issues.
The strike, declared by the Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers, led to the closure of all Magistrate and Customary Courts in the state, with court premises locked and deserted.
Members of the coalition accused the state government of failing to address long-standing welfare concerns, including the non-provision of official vehicles, inadequate allowances and lack of critical institutional support required for effective justice delivery.
They recalled that the state government was formally notified of the impending industrial action in December 2025, stressing that the strike followed what they described as the state executive’s persistent failure to give practical effect to judicial financial autonomy.
According to the coalition, the absence of genuine implementation of financial autonomy has negatively impacted the welfare of judicial officers, diminished the dignity of their offices and weakened operational efficiency within the justice system.
A strike notice dated December 10, 2025, conveying their position, was submitted to the Chief Judge of Ondo State and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
On Monday, court workers who reported for duty were forced to return home after discovering that all court facilities across the state had been shut in compliance with the strike directive.
The notice, jointly signed by the Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Ondo State Branch; the Chairman of the Association of Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts; and the Acting Chairman of the Association of Legal Research Officers, directed members to down tools indefinitely from January 5, 2026.
The notice barred members from performing any official duties during the strike, including reporting to offices, presiding over court sittings or issuing and endorsing any judicial orders, whether physically or remotely.
It added that the strike would continue until their demands for full judicial autonomy and improved welfare conditions were met, noting that the coalition would not compromise on those demands.
Members were also urged to remain united and disciplined throughout the duration of the industrial action, with assurances that further developments would be communicated as necessary.
Recall that the Ondo State Government had, in June 2025, announced the granting of financial autonomy to the judiciary following the suspension of an earlier strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
The Secretary of JUSUN in the state, Mr Alade Kehinde, had said the decision followed the intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, leading to the suspension of a two-week strike.
Kehinde explained that the government pledged to constitute a committee and commence the implementation of judicial autonomy within a stipulated timeframe.
He stated that the union suspended its strike after receiving assurances on compliance with statutory provisions governing the release of funds to the judiciary and the commitment to fast-track implementation from July 2025.
Similarly, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), had earlier assured judiciary workers of the state government’s commitment to judicial independence and fiscal responsibility.
Ajulo, while commending the suspension of the JUSUN strike at the time, said the governor would continue to engage stakeholders to maintain industrial harmony, adding that judicial autonomy was guaranteed, subject to proper understanding of its implementation framework.