Abuja, Nigeria – Contrary to official assurances, the Federal High Court in Abuja remained locked on Monday, leaving lawyers, court staff, and litigants stranded and unable to access the premises.

This unexpected closure follows a statement issued on Sunday, in which the National Judicial Council (NJC) chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) declared that key judicial institutions — including the Supreme Court, NJC, and Federal High Court — would not be participating in the nationwide strike action.

However, a visit by reporters to the Federal High Court revealed a complete shutdown. The main entrance was locked, and courtrooms were inaccessible. A similar scenario unfolded at the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja.

The confusion stems from mixed signals between national and local chapters of JUSUN. While the NJC chapter cited an intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and announced a two-week grace period to resolve pending demands, the broader union directive — issued in a communiqué dated May 30 — had instructed all federal chapters to begin industrial action from midnight on Sunday, June 1.

JUSUN’s national leadership cited unresolved issues with the Federal Government, including the non-payment of a five-month wage award, the failure to implement the proposed ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and the demand for a 25–35% salary increment.

“The strike action became necessary after a series of unproductive meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment,” said Acting General Secretary M.J. Akwashiki in the union’s communiqué.

The disruption adds another layer of complexity to Nigeria’s industrial relations landscape, already strained by parallel demands from various public sector unions. It also raises questions about internal coordination within JUSUN and the ability of judicial authorities to maintain operations during labour disputes.

Despite the NJC’s assurances, the shutdown of federal courts suggests deeper dissent among rank-and-file judiciary workers. As of Monday, no clear timeline had been communicated for when normal court operations would resume.