NBA warns Adeleke to end court strike in seven days

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Osun State has cautioned that the prolonged closure of courts in the state could trigger a state of emergency if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the lingering industrial crisis.

The warning was contained in a letter addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and obtained today in Osogbo. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun; the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo; the Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada; and the state chairman of JUSUN, Idris Adeniran.

Dated December 8, 2025, the letter was jointly signed by chairmen of all five NBA branches in the state: Maruf Adediran (Osogbo), Niyi Akinsola (Ikirun), F. O. Ajani (Iwo), Ayodele Olawoye (Ife), and Raymond Oki (Ilesa).

Courts across Osun State have remained shut since September 22, 2025, following an indefinite strike declared by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria over unmet welfare demands and delayed 2024/2025 promotions.

The NBA urged Governor Adeleke to direct JUSUN to suspend the strike and resume work within seven days “in the interest of public order, constitutional governance, and the well-being of the citizens of Osun State.”

According to the Association, its representatives had met separately with the Chief Judge, the Attorney General, and JUSUN leadership in efforts to resolve the impasse. However, progress was stalled due to the refusal of some members of the Judicial Service Commission appointed by the governor to attend a meeting convened by the Chief Judge.

The NBA called on Adeleke to ensure that JUSUN’s legitimate grievances are addressed through “a structured and time-bound process” jointly supervised by the Judicial Service Commission and the Bar.

It also urged the governor to instruct the Attorney General and all JSC members appointed by him to immediately begin participating fully in meetings convened by the Chief Judge to resolve all outstanding issues.