Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Judiciary workers in Ondo State have intensified criticism of the state government over what they describe as the deplorable condition of court infrastructure and poor welfare standards, raising concerns that systemic neglect is undermining the administration of justice across the state. The complaints, echoed by legal practitioners, civil society advocates and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), highlight deep frustrations with dilapidated courtrooms, inadequate facilities and stalled reforms despite promises of improvement.
At the heart of the unrest are longstanding demands for full financial autonomy for the judiciary, a constitutionally mandated process that would allow the judiciary to independently manage its finances and resources without undue executive influence. Judiciary workers and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) argue that the state government’s failure to implement this autonomy has contributed directly to the deteriorating condition of court infrastructure and inadequate funding for essential judicial operations.
Workers’ grievances came to a head in June 2025, when JUSUN embarked on an indefinite strike, effectively shutting down court operations across Ondo State. The strike was triggered by what union leaders described as the government’s persistent failure to release funds appropriated for the judiciary in the 2025 budget, including allocations for capital and recurrent expenditure. According to NBA communiqués, the inability of courts to access these funds has left facilities in poor repair, and many magistrates and judges without adequate courtrooms or basic working conditions.
Litigants and legal practitioners have characterised many courthouses as operating in untenable environments, with leaking roofs, damaged seating and crumbling structures reported in divisions such as Okitipupa, Owo, Ikare and Akure. Lawyers have described scenes where buckets are placed in courtrooms during rains to catch drips, while registrars and clerks sometimes resort to external business centres to type court records due to a lack of computers and office supplies — actions that compromise confidentiality and justice delivery.
The strike quickly drew broader criticism from within the legal community. In statements to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the NBA warned that the absence of a functioning judiciary was creating a “comatose” justice system in the state, with potentially dire consequences for governance, rule of law, and public confidence. Lawyers emphasised that without urgent action to address funding shortfalls, restore infrastructure and institutionalise financial autonomy, the justice system would continue to falter.
While the judiciary workers’ strike reflects the severity of the crisis, the state government has at times sought to position its efforts more positively. Officials have pointed to the ongoing construction of a new High Court complex in Akure — a modern judicial village designed to include multiple courtrooms, registries, libraries and other facilities — as evidence of commitment to improving infrastructure. The project, named after former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, was flagged off by the administration with promises of completion within a year to provide a more conducive environment for justice delivery.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has also engaged with union leadership. In June 2025, the governor met with JUSUN representatives to discuss salary arrears and other welfare issues affecting judiciary staff. The meeting resulted in the establishment of a committee to work out modalities for releasing funds to the judiciary, and a suspension of the strike followed after some concessions and assurances of progress on financial autonomy.
However, critics argue that such gestures have not fully addressed the core grievances. Beyond infrastructure decay, judiciary workers cite poor welfare conditions, including delayed or unresolved salaries, lack of adequate support for staff and insufficient provisions to ensure safe, efficient court operations. They insist that true resolution requires full implementation of financial autonomy, transparent disbursement of allocated funds, and sustained investment in judicial facilities statewide.
Civil society observers and human rights advocates have backed the union’s calls, warning that a dysfunctional judiciary jeopardises access to justice for ordinary citizens and risks weakening democratic institutions. They argue that beyond construction projects, there must be targeted attention to existing facilities, welfare support for judicial personnel, and mechanisms that protect the judiciary from financial bottlenecks and executive interference.
The standoff has sparked broader debate in Ondo about governance priorities, accountability and investment in public institutions. As the state continues efforts to upgrade judicial infrastructure, questions remain about the pace of change and whether workers’ core demands — particularly financial autonomy and improved welfare — will be fully met in a manner that restores confidence in the judiciary’s independence and operational capacity.
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