Ondo magistrates to begin strike, accuse state govt of failing to implement judicial financial autonomy

Magistrates in Ondo State under the umbrella of the Coalition of Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers, have scheduled a strike for January 5th, 2026, over judicial financial autonomy in the state.

In a letter dated December 10 which was formally submitted to the offices of the Chief Judge of the state and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal on Friday, the Coalition said it would withdraw its services with effect from January 5, 2026, over what they described as the continued lip service by the State Executive to the issue of financial autonomy for the Judiciary.

According to the magistrates, the lack of genuine implementation of judicial financial autonomy in the state has severely affected the welfare of judicial officers, operational efficiency, dignity of office, and the institutional support required for an effective justice delivery system.

In the letter signed by the state Secretary of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Alade Kehinde, the magistrates lamented that its members have been subjected to persistent denial of several welfare entitlements, including the provision of official vehicles, improved allowances, and other essential support necessary for the effective discharge of their duties.

Kehinde stressed that “judicial autonomy is guaranteed, what is required is for parties involved to demonstrate understanding and seek proper clarification on its practical implementation.”

“Our demands are simple: Commitment on the part of the state government to implement our demands on compliance with the provision of the law on release of funds to the Ondo State judiciary.

“Commitment on the part of the state government to constitute a committee to work within a reasonable timeframe to fast track the implementation in July 2025,” Alade said in the statement.

The post Ondo magistrates to begin strike, accuse state govt of failing to implement judicial financial autonomy appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.