The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) embarked on a strike Monday, leading to the closure of most courts, including the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The strike caused a delay in the arraignment of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which had been scheduled to take place Tuesday.
As a reminder, Akpoti-Uduaghan has faced public scrutiny since her allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Earlier this year, the senator clashed with Akpabio on the Senate floor, leading to her removal from the chamber after her seat was reassigned.
Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the reassignment was a form of retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s alleged sexual advances. She accused him of sexual harassment, but shortly after making the accusations, she was suspended and later charged with making defamatory statements.
According to the charge sheet marked CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making criminal imputations during both a live broadcast and a private phone conversation, allegedly defaming Akpabio and another individual, Bello.
The charges further allege that she told a woman named Dr. Sandra Duru during a phone call that Akpabio was linked to the organ harvesting of the late Iniubong Umoren for the benefit of his ailing wife.
The Federal Government has charged the suspended senator under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code, which address defamation and criminal harm to reputation.
The arraignment, initially scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed due to the strike. However, a communiqué signed by the National Vice President of JUSUN and 10 other members of the association’s leadership — including representatives of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and other relevant stakeholders — confirmed that the strike has been called off. Court activities are expected to resume Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
The strike was primarily in response to the underpayment of judiciary staff. As part of the new agreement, JUSUN will be permitted to engage directly with the Federal Government to ensure the release of funds to the judiciary within one month.
“Upon the release of the funds to the judiciary,” the communiqué stated, “JUSUN’s demands — implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage and its arrears, a 25/35 percent salary increase, and the five-month wage award and their arrears — will be implemented immediately.”
As the judiciary returns to work and the high-profile case resumes, all eyes will be on the court’s next move.
