The Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts, and Legal Research Officers in Ondo State have called off their two-week industrial action over judicial autonomy and improved welfare.
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Judicial activities were grounded across the state following the strike action.
They lamented that their members had been subjected to persistent denial of several welfare entitlements, including the provision of official vehicles, improved allowances, and other essential support necessary for the effective discharge of their duties.
Recall that the judicial officers went on strike against what they described as the “continued lip service by the State Executive to the issue of financial autonomy for the Judiciary.”
According to them, “The lack of genuine implementation of judicial financial autonomy has severely affected the welfare of judicial officers, operational efficiency, dignity of office, and the institutional support required for an effective justice delivery system.”
Meanwhile, the suspension of the strike action was contained in a statement jointly signed by the leaders of the coalition: Mrs. O. Edwin, Mr. Degun Rotiba, and Mrs. Agbomola.
According to the coalition, the decision was taken after a series of meetings and engagements with the executive arm of government over their immediate demands and the long-standing issue of financial autonomy for the Ondo State judiciary.
They explained in the statement that the discussions involved all key stakeholders, including the coalition, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), and government representatives.
The statement said that critical issues such as the provision of official vehicles for magistrates and Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts, as well as a new salary structure for magistrates, presidents, and legal research officers, were thoroughly considered during the negotiations.
They said, “Painstaking but realistic agreement was reached on all the contentious matters, noting that the government demonstrated good faith and commitment towards the immediate implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and other demands earlier raised. The coalition hereby declared the suspension of the strike.
“In view of the agreements reached and the assurances given, we hereby suspend the withdrawal of services and direct our members to resume work from tomorrow, January 20, 2026,” the statement read.
The coalition also expressed appreciation to its members for their steadfastness throughout the industrial action, to the executive of JUSUN for its strategic cooperation, to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its understanding, and to members of the public for their patience during the strike.
It added that further details of the agreement reached with the government would be communicated to members at a subsequent meeting and therefore called on members of the coalition to resume duties on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The statement said: “Consequent upon the withdrawal of services by members of the above coalition, there was a series of meetings and engagements with the executive arm of government over the immediate demands of the coalition and the issue of financial autonomy for the Ondo State judiciary.
“The engagements were conducted by critical stakeholders, including the coalition, JUSUN, and government.
“All pressing issues of official vehicles for Magistrates, Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts, and the new salary structure for Magistrates, Presidents, and Legal Research Officers were considered.
“After a painstaking but realistic agreement on all issues, and given the demonstration of good faith and commitment towards immediate implementation of autonomy for the Ondo State Judiciary and other demands raised in our letter, we hereby suspend the withdrawal of services and direct our members to resume work from tomorrow, the 20th of January, 2026.
“We appreciate our members for their commitment, the executive of JUSUN for their strategic cooperation, the NBA for their understanding, and the general public for their patience,” the statement added.
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