Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers in Ondo State have suspended their two-week-old industrial action following agreements reached with the state government.
The suspension was announced on Monday night in a statement jointly signed by Mrs O. Edwin, Mr Segun Rotiba, and Mrs Agbomola.
Recall that the judicial officers, under the aegis of the Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers in the Ondo State Judiciary, had on January 5, 2026, embarked on an indefinite strike in pursuit of judicial autonomy and improved welfare.
In a notice dated January 2, 2026, and addressed to all magistrates, presidents of Grade ‘A’ customary courts, and legal research officers, the coalition directed its members to withdraw their services indefinitely.
Following the action, courts across the state were shut as magistrates, customary court presidents, and members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) downed tools.
The striking judicial officers accused the state government, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of failing to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary and address long-standing welfare concerns.
However, in the statement obtained by The Nation in Akure, the judiciary workers said the decision to suspend the strike followed a series of meetings and engagements with the executive arm of government and other critical stakeholders.
The engagements, according to the workers, were led by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr Kayode Ajulo (SAN), and involved the leadership of JUSUN, members of the coalition and government representatives.
They stated that key issues raised during the meetings were favourably considered by the government.
The judicial officers noted that after what they described as a “painstaking but realistic agreement,” the government demonstrated also good faith and commitment towards the immediate implementation of financial autonomy and other demands earlier presented.
Consequently, the coalition directed all its members to resume work from Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The statement read, “These include the provision of official vehicles for Magistrates and Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, as well as the introduction of a new salary structure for Magistrates, Customary Court Presidents, and Legal Research Officers.
“After a painstaking but realistic agreement on all issues, the demonstration of good faith, commitment towards immediate implementation of autonomy for 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, (Tuesday, the 20th of January, 2026.”
The judiciary workers commended its members for their commitment throughout the strike and specifically lauded the leadership of JUSUN and the Nigerian Bar Association for their support.
The suspension came barely hours after the Ondo State Police Command raised concerns over the lingering strike, warning that it was affecting the prosecution of criminal cases and posing security risks.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had told reporters in Akure that the industrial action forced the police to release suspects who should have been charged to court, noting that courts across the state had remained shut for weeks.
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