Akwa Ibom: JUSUN threatens strike, gives Gov Eno one-month ultimatum

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Akwa Ibom State branch, has issued a one-month notice to Governor Umo Eno of its intention to embark on industrial action if the state government fails to fulfil its obligations under an agreement previously reached with the union.

This was contained in a communiqué issued to journalists in the state on Thursday following the union’s congress held on January 30, 2026, at the Justice E. D. U. Idiong Multipurpose Hall, Judiciary Headquarters, Uyo, which was presided over by the chairman, Comrade Katele Ajah.

The congress noted that while it was grateful for Governor Umo Eno’s approval of a 15 per cent increment in peculiar allowance for judiciary staff and the ₦1.5 million refreshment package approved during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, it was displeased with the non-implementation of the 15 per cent arrears effective from April 2025.

The union also acknowledged the governor’s allocation of 1,000 employment slots to the judiciary but described the figure as grossly inadequate to address the manpower deficit caused by retirements, deaths, and other exits since 2013. It urged the governor to increase the employment slots to a minimum of 2,500 to meet the growing needs of the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The union stressed the need for the preferential absorption of temporary staff during the recruitment process.

Citing the Third Schedule, Part II, Paragraph 2(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the union urged the governor to reconsider the imposition of the unified state employment portal on the judiciary, noting that such a policy undermines the constitutional functions of the Judicial Service Commission, a body created by the Constitution.

Among other issues discussed and unanimously agreed upon was the immediate release of all outstanding entitlements due to judiciary staff. These include the 2025 robe allowance for lawyers, the 2024 and 2025 promotion arrears, salary arrears for court assessors, and the prompt correction of discrepancies in the CONAKEJUSS progressive salary table.

The union also called for the provision of an official vehicle for the Executive Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, as well as pool vehicles for both the judiciary and the JSC.

At the close of the congress, the union resolved that if, at the expiration of the one-month notice from the date of service of the communiqué, the government fails to respond positively to its demands, it would proceed with a three-day warning strike to press home its grievances.

Akwa Ibom: JUSUN threatens strike, gives Gov Eno one-month ultimatum