NBA Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum to Governor Adeleke to End Osun Court Shutdown

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Osun State Chapter, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the State
Governor, Ademola Adeleke, demanding his decisive intervention to end the prolonged industrial action
by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) that has completely paralyzed the state’s judicial system.

Courts across Osun State have remained locked since September 22, 2025, following the commencement of an indefinite strike by JUSUN members.
The union’s primary grievances center on staff welfare issues and the non-implementation of the
2024/2025 promotions.

In a strongly worded letter dated December 8, 2025, signed jointly by the chairmen of the five NBA
branches in the state (Osogbo, Ikirun, Iwo, Ife, and Ilesa), the association addressed Governor Adeleke,
warning that the continuous closure poses grave constitutional and security risks.

The NBA urged the Governor to:
** Direct JUSUN’s leadership to suspend the ongoing strike and immediately resume work within the next seven days, emphasizing the necessity for public order and constitutional governance.
** Assure JUSUN that all their legitimate demands will be addressed through a structured, time-bound
process jointly supervised by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Bar.
** Instruct the Attorney General and all JSC members appointed by the Governor to attend and participate fully in all meetings convened by the State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, to resolve the outstanding issues.

The Bar Association stated that the months-long shutdown constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law
and places Osun State in a precarious constitutional position, warning that if the situation persists, it
could attract federal government attention and potentially justify a declaration of a state of emergency.
The NBA noted that attempts to mediate the crisis have met with challenges, citing the refusal of certain
Judicial Service Commission members appointed by the Governor to attend meetings aimed at
resolution, as well as an instance where JUSUN leaders boycotted a joint meeting with the Chief Judge in
early November 2025.

The strike, which has brought the administration of both criminal and civil justice to a complete halt for
over two months, has left litigants stranded and commercial transactions suspended, according to the
legal body.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

thewyreng