After over four months of industrial action, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State Branch, has officially suspended its indefinite strike. The union embarked on the strike on December 6, 2024, to protest the state government’s handling of the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The decision to suspend the strike was announced in a memo released on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and signed by the JUSUN State Chairman, Mr. Terlumun Aba. The memo was addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Benue State High Court, directors in the State Ministry of Justice, and judiciary workers across the state.
According to the memo, the union received approval from its National Headquarters to suspend the strike following what it described as a “positive response” from the Benue State Government to the union’s demands.
“The suspension became necessary following a positive response of Benue State Government towards our demands,” the statement read.
JUSUN directed all judiciary staff in the state to resume work immediately, starting Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
“The Chairman, Comrade Aba Terlumun, has directed all staff of Benue State Judiciary to cease any further escalation of the strike and, as a matter of urgency, resume work,” the memo continued.
“Your cooperation during the strike period is highly appreciated.”
The strike began on December 6, 2024, shortly after Governor Hyacinth Alia announced and began implementing a new ₦75,000 minimum wage for all state workers. While many welcomed the new wage policy, JUSUN members opposed it, claiming the implementation was flawed and did not meet the agreed standards for judiciary workers.
The judiciary staff argued that their unique conditions of service were not fully considered in the new wage structure and demanded a separate negotiation that reflected their responsibilities and statutory independence.
The standoff led to the total shutdown of judicial activities across the state. Courts remained closed, and judicial processes were suspended, leaving litigants, lawyers, and the general public in limbo.
The prolonged strike had significant effects on the administration of justice in Benue State. Many civil and criminal cases were delayed, detainees remained in custody without trial, and lawyers repeatedly called for a speedy resolution.
Legal practitioners and rights groups expressed concern about the consequences of denying citizens access to justice for such an extended period.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Barrister Grace Iortim, a Makurdi-based lawyer. “While we understand the workers’ right to protest, this strike has affected too many lives. People waiting for bail, families seeking legal redress, and even children involved in custody cases have all been stranded.”
With the suspension of the strike, lawyers and members of the public are hopeful that normalcy will return to the courtrooms and that pending matters can now proceed.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who assumed office in May 2023, has faced multiple challenges, including strikes from various public sector unions. His administration’s approval of a ₦75,000 minimum wage — one of the highest state-level wages in the country — was intended to address widespread economic hardship among civil servants. However, its rollout has not been without controversy.
In the case of JUSUN, the union argued that wage implementation was done unilaterally and failed to reflect earlier agreements concerning the judiciary’s autonomy and staff welfare.
Following several weeks of deadlock, behind-the-scenes negotiations reportedly resumed in early April 2025. Though details of the new agreement between the union and the state government have not been fully disclosed, the tone of JUSUN’s memo suggests that a compromise was reached.
Government officials are yet to issue a formal statement on the outcome, but sources within the Ministry of Justice confirmed that steps are being taken to harmonize salary structures across various arms of government in the state.
The resolution of the Benue JUSUN strike marks a significant moment in the state’s industrial relations. It underscores the importance of dialogue, especially between government and unions representing key sectors like the judiciary, education, and healthcare.
With court workers expected back at their duty posts on Wednesday, April 23, the judiciary now faces the challenge of clearing the backlog of cases accumulated during the strike.
The Chief Judge of Benue State is expected to release a new schedule to fast-track hearings, especially for time-sensitive matters such as criminal trials and pre-election cases.
