The leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) shunned the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) peace meeting with Osun Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo to end the over six-week strike action.
The Nation recalled that JUSUN embarked on strike action in September 2025 demanding for urgent intervention on staff welfare and implementation of 2024/2025 promotions. Since then, courtrooms across Osun State have been under lock and key.
The leadership of the NBA convened a peace meeting between the Chief Judge and JUSUN leadership but the meeting was boycotted by the latter on the claim that they might be arrested at the meeting.
A statement by the NBA through the Osogbo Branch Chairman, Barrister Maruf Adediran, said that JUSUN boycotted the meeting with CJ to engage them directly on their demands and explore pathways to resolution.
“The meeting which has in attendance the Honourable Chief Judge, four other Honourable Judges, and some Bar Leaders, was unfortunately boycotted by the JUSUN leadership.
“JUSUN alleged that they were threatened with arrest by a senior member of the Bar after he cautioned them against fomenting trouble and advised that their delegation to the meeting be limited to five representatives.
“This misunderstanding led to their withdrawal from the scheduled engagement. Notwithstanding the absence of JUSUN, the meeting went ahead as scheduled.”
He added: “The Honourable Chief Judge has directed that a meeting of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) be convened on Tuesday to deliberate on JUSUN’s demands and to take necessary steps toward resolving the issues precipitating the strike.”
However, JUSUN through its Chairman, Comrade Idris Adeniran, hinged their decision to boycott the meeting on threat of arrest made by a close associate of the CJ, saying “The presence of a significant number of security personnel at the meeting venue underscores the seriousness of the threat and raises concerns about the safety and security of our members.”
“The planned meeting at the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC), as announced by the NBA leadership, appears to be orchestrated without the involvement of JUSUN leadership, despite our ongoing strike.
“This raises suspicions that the meeting may be used as propaganda to undermine our struggle for fairness and justice.
“We reject any attempts to use the JSC meeting as a tool to force JUSUN to resume work without a satisfactory agreement.”