After five months of industrial action, the Benue State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has formally suspended its strike and instructed all judiciary workers in the state to resume work effective Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The protracted strike, which began on December 6, 2024, was triggered by unresolved welfare disputes between the union and the state government. However, recent developments indicate a breakthrough in negotiations.
In a formal letter addressed to Chief Registrars, Directors, Deputy and Assistant Chief Registrars, and all judiciary staff in the state, JUSUN Chairman, Comrade Aba Terlumun, confirmed the decision, noting it was made in line with directives from the union’s national headquarters.
“The Executive Council of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Benue State branch, as directed by the National Headquarters, wishes to notify you that the industrial action has been suspended,” the letter stated.
According to the union, the suspension was necessitated by what it described as a “positive response” from the Benue State Government regarding its demands, although specific details of the concessions made were not disclosed.
Comrade Terlumun urged judiciary workers to treat the directive to resume duties with urgency and emphasized the need to avoid any further escalation of the dispute.
“We deeply appreciate the solidarity and cooperation shown by all staff during the strike period,” he added.
The suspension of the strike comes as a relief to many stakeholders in the state’s justice system, which had experienced a near-total shutdown, leading to case backlogs and limited access to legal redress for thousands of residents.
Observers say the development could mark a turning point in government-union relations in the state, provided agreed terms are implemented faithfully.
