Magistrates and Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts in Ondo State have commenced an indefinite industrial action, effectively paralysing judicial activities across the state and disrupting the administration of justice in multiple court centres.
The strike action, which began on Monday, has led to the closure of magistrate courts and Grade A customary courts statewide, with litigants, lawyers and court users turned back as judicial officers withdrew their services.
Findings indicate that the industrial action is a result of unresolved grievances with the state government, bordering on welfare, conditions of service and other work-related concerns affecting members of the judiciary at the magistrate and customary court levels.
As a consequence of the strike, court sittings have been suspended indefinitely, stalling ongoing trials, hearings, and rulings, and further compounding the backlog of cases within the state’s justice system.
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Legal practitioners have expressed concern that the action could significantly delay justice delivery, particularly for criminal matters and urgent civil cases.
Sources within the judiciary disclosed that the decision to embark on the strike followed several failed attempts to engage the government through dialogue, prompting the judicial officers to resort to industrial action as a last measure.
Court premises across major judicial divisions in the state, including Akure, Ondo, Okitipupa, Ikare and Owo, were observed to be largely inactive, with administrative staff present but unable to conduct proceedings in the absence of presiding officers.
Stakeholders in the justice sector have urged the Ondo State Government to urgently intervene and address the concerns of the striking judicial officers to prevent a prolonged shutdown of the courts and safeguard public confidence in the justice system.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Government had yet to issue an official response to the strike action, while judicial officers insist the industrial action will remain in force until their demands are adequately addressed.
