The Federal High Court in Abuja was closed on Monday, preventing judges, lawyers, court staff, and litigants from entering the premises.

This closure occurred despite an earlier statement issued on Sunday indicating that judiciary staff at certain federal courts would not be participating in the nationwide strike.

When our correspondent visited the Federal High Court on Monday morning, the premises were locked and completely inaccessible. A similar situation was observed at the headquarters of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The shutdown follows a directive from the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which issued a communiqué dated May 30 instructing its federal chapters to begin an indefinite strike effective from midnight on Sunday, June 1.

Signed by Acting General Secretary M.J. Akwashiki, the communiqué cited failed negotiations with the Minister of Labour and Employment as the reason for the industrial action.

The union is demanding the payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25% to 35% salary increment.

However, in a separate statement released on Sunday by the National Judicial Council (NJC) chapter of JUSUN, the Supreme Court, NJC, and Federal High Court were reportedly exempt from the strike. The chapter’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joel Ebiloma, said the decision followed the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

According to the statement, a two-week grace period has been granted to allow relevant authorities time to meet the union’s demands.