NBA tells Adeleke to end court strike in seven days

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke | X

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The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association in Osun State has warned that the continued closure of courts in the state, if prolonged, may lead to a state of emergency.

This was stated in a letter obtained in Osogbo on Monday, addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, with copies sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Adewale Egbedun; the Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo; the State Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada; and the state JUSUN chairman, Idris Adeniran.

The letter, dated December 8, 2025, was signed by the chairmen of the five NBA branches in the state.

Signatories include Chairman of NBA Osogbo Branch, Maruf Adediran, Chairman of NBA Ikirun Branch, Niyi Akinsola, Chairman of NBA Iwo Branch, F. O. Ajani, Chairman of NBA Ife Branch, Ayodele Olawoye, and Chairman of NBA Ilesa Branch, Raymond Oki.

Activities in courts across the state have been shut down since September 22, 2025, following industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria over unmet demands.

The Association urged Adeleke to “direct the leadership of JUSUN to suspend the ongoing strike and immediately resume work within the next seven (7) days, in the interest of public order, constitutional governance, and the well-being of the citizens of Osun State.”

In a bid to resolve the crisis that led to the strike, the NBA said its representatives met separately with the State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo; the State Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada; and the leadership of JUSUN.

However, the Association said it met a brick wall when the leadership of JUSUN boycotted a joint meeting convened by the NBA with the Chief Judge.

It added that the issues leading to the strike could not be addressed due to the refusal of certain members of the Judicial Service Commission, appointed by the governor, to attend the meeting convened by the Chief Judge.

The Association further implored Adeleke to “assure JUSUN that all their legitimate demands and grievances shall be addressed through a structured and time-bound process, to be jointly supervised by the Judicial Service Commission and the Bar.

“Immediately instruct the Honorable Attorney General and all JSC members appointed by Your Excellency to forthwith start and continue to attend, and participate fully in all meetings convened by the Honourable Chief Judge, so that all outstanding issues can be appropriately and timely addressed by the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.”

The PUNCH reported on September 20 that the leadership of JUSUN in the state directed its members to immediately withdraw their services and refrain from reporting to work.

The directive was contained in a statement signed by the union’s State chairman, Idris Adeniran, obtained by our correspondent in Osogbo.

The union had earlier called for urgent intervention in staff welfare and implementation of 2024/2025 promotions.

“Despite our letter dated September 3, 2025, the Chairman of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission has not reached out to the leadership of our union, leading us to believe that the Osun State Judiciary leadership is not committed to upholding the rule of law and industrial harmony,” Adeniran said.

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