January 6, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
ABUJA — The Ondo State Government is coming under intense public scrutiny after judiciary workers locked out judges and forced a statewide shutdown of court operations, deepening a standoff over demands for judicial autonomy and improved welfare conditions. The dramatic disruption occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026, and has paralyzed judicial activities across the state, sparking debate over governance, rule of law, and labour rights in Nigeria.
In a coordinated action led by the Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers of Ondo State, judiciary staff commenced an indefinite strike after negotiations with the Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration failed to resolve longstanding grievances. The coalition’s notice, dated January 2, 2026, called on members to withdraw all services and refrain from performing any official duties — a directive that effectively barred judges and support staff from accessing court premises or processing legal matters.
When Sahara Reporters visited the Ondo State Judiciary Headquarters in Akure on Monday, the facility’s gates were locked and padlocked, with judges’ official vehicles parked idle outside, indicating a complete halt to court proceedings. The move left litigants, lawyers, and the public unable to pursue legal matters as scheduled, underscoring the tangible impact of the labour dispute.
The industrial action stems from unresolved issues that judiciary workers say have eroded the effectiveness and dignity of the state’s justice system. Key among their demands are full financial and administrative autonomy for the judiciary, improved welfare packages, and better working conditions to support effective judicial service delivery grievances that workers argue have persisted despite prior promises from the state executive.
In their directive, the striking coalition explicitly stated that members are prohibited from reporting to duty, sitting in court, issuing or signing official documents, or acting in any official capacity until the government accedes to its demands on autonomy and welfare reform. Workers emphasized that the strike will persist indefinitely and urged colleagues to demonstrate unity, discipline, and solidarity.
Officials within the Ondo State Government have yet to issue a formal response to the shutdown, but sources indicate ongoing consultations aimed at addressing the crisis. The impasse highlights broader tensions between labour rights and institutional governance, with critics warning that prolonged judicial paralysis could undermine access to justice, the rule of law, and public confidence in state institutions.
Observers note that the strike follows longstanding complaints by judiciary workers about dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate welfare provisions, and repeated delays in implementing reforms promised by the government issues that have periodically flared into industrial action and raised questions about executive commitment to judicial independence.
As courtrooms remain shuttered and negotiations continue, the standoff in Ondo State stands as a potent reminder of the critical role that labour relations and institutional autonomy play in sustaining effective governance and public trust in the justice system. The resolution of this dispute will likely have significant implications for judicial operations and accountability in the region.