Nigerian federal judiciary employees have voiced dissatisfaction regarding the failure to receive the sanctioned 25%/35% salary increase and the further delay in implementing the new minimum wage.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Nigerian government had authorized the salary adjustment and the new minimum wage to take effect in January 2024.
Nevertheless, several judiciary workers who communicated with our correspondent indicated that they have not yet received any payments following this announcement.
As reported by the workers, this situation has resulted in significant financial distress for many, making it challenging to meet obligations such as rent, utility bills, and family support.
“25/35 % per cent was added to the federal government worker’s, but since from the day of the implementation up to now, we did not see it on our salaries tackless of the Arrears. Minimum wage is also not added on our salaries up to now, and its arrears as well,” one of the Federal High Court staff, Isaac Audu, said in a conversation with Naijaonpoint.
We Are Threatened With Dismissal
Further expressing his sentiment, Audu said they receive a threat of dismissal from service whenever they complain to their superiors about the delay in payment of the incentives and salary increase.
He added: “And Wage Award & 40k Hardship for the federal government worker’s judiciary for almost 3 months or so our salary has been paid without it.
“We Have been complaining for so long, but no any good outcome from it.
“When you complain, the superiors will silence you by Questioning you or telling you that you are going to be Dismissed from the service.”
Other judiciary workers who identified themselves simply as Samuel and Silas corroborated Audu’s claims, appealing for a quick intervention.
We Don’t Even Know Our Fate, JUSUN Have Betrayed Us
In a series of chats with Naijaonpoint in December 2024, the aggrieved judiciary workers expressed disappointment over their experiences in what they termed as “Advanced slavery in our own judiciary system.”
They also accused the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) of betrayal and neglect.
They said: “Federal Judiciary staff, we are in a stage of a comma. We need a life support machine before we can survive the hash economy of Nigeria. We have toiled too long begging to be carried along with those who claim they are the owners of the Judiciary. What we are experiencing is advanced slavery in our own judiciary system, which is supposed to play the role of protecting and defending its staff from neglection when it comes to improvement of salaries and welfare packages if the judiciary is supposed to dispense justice to the ordinary citizens without hope are treating us like nobody and calling us supporting staff with no value, who else do we run to because JUSUN has shown us the attitude of betrayed and trust we gave them.
“We don’t even know our fate next year how is going to be if things we really change for the betterment of every federal judiciary worker. We are looking up to God our cry in the judiciary is overdue, and we need help, we are not classified as federal judiciary workers in the midst of the heads of Judiciary but being looked upon as a parasite or attachments to the body of justice, for how long shall we continue to live like this, who will come to our aid. God, you did it for the Nigerian police and the railway workers you can also do it for us the federal judiciary staff, so that our lives can change like other institutions. Let our hope not be dashed and our labour in vain; we need your supreme justice intervention. God bless federal judiciary workers.
“It is becoming a normal thing that our able judiciary staff men and women who are vibrant and full of life are being snatched by the cold hands of the dead, and nobody is saying anything or asking questions because they believe God gives and he taketh.”
Most Of Our Staff Are Dying Due To Health Issues, No Money For Treatment
The judicial worker regretted that the financial restrain has resulted in the death of many staff as they could not take care of their health challenges.
He said: “I came to understand that death is not always natural because some people die because of health issues, frustration, accidents, or depression that can cause untimely death in a man’s life.
“If you do your research very well, most of our staff who are dying in the Judiciary are because of health complications and no money to get proper treatment by getting the required medication. Some even require surgery but have no financial back for the surgery to take place all because we are working on a judiciary system that doesn’t value workers working in the system, I can’t count the number of staff who have gone to a great beyond in different courts or commission because of negligence by the management of Judiciary.
“We all know that anything that affects judges will be circulated in the newspaper but since it is judiciary workers, nobody cares to ask questions why is judiciary workers dying every month.
“It is time for the management of the Judiciary and the authority to stand up to their responsibilities and do the needful by taking care of the welfare of federal judiciary workers, we are not asking for much, but what belongs to us should be given without delay or compromise.
“We call on the CJN and heads of court to reason together the role we play in the judiciary bodies because without we, the staff of Judiciary, nothing will be achieved in delivering justice to the general public, we are pleading to all stakeholders but in national assembly to look into our plight because many of our staff are dying every month because of poor salary and welfare.
“To those of our falling heroes in the federal judiciary who have gone to great beyond, your deaths will not be in vain; justice will prevail, l and all your rights and privileges will to be given to the families you left behind. We are sending a condolence message to all the families who have lost their loved ones that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
JUSUN Demands Immediate Implementation Of Approved New Minimum Wage, Salary Increase For Judiciary Workers
Contrary to the belief of some judiciary workers that JUSUN have betrayed them and remained silent over the delay in implementation of the new minimum wage and salary increase, among others, the federal executive body has written an appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Keke-Ekun and other stakeholders demanding immediate action.
This action was confirmed by JUSUN President, Comrade Marwa Mustapha Adamu, in an exclusive interview with Naijaonpoint on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
In the copy of the appeal made available to Naijaonpoint, JUSUN expresses its concern regarding the non-implementation of the recently approved minimum wage, the 25-30% salary increase, and the ₦35,000 wage award for workers in the Federal Judiciary despite the implementation by other arms of government and the states.
JUSUN observed that the failure to effect these measures has placed significant financial strain on workers in the federal judiciary and their families, undermining the intent of these policies to alleviate economic hardship.
It stressed that the rising cost of living and inflation have further exacerbated the situation, leaving many workers struggling to meet their basic needs.
JUSUN noted that the delay in implementation contradicts the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce, leading to widespread frustration and dissatisfaction.
Hence, the federal executive body urged the CJN to use her esteemed office to intervene promptly by ensuring the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage.
This, it said, will provide relief to the affected workers and foster economic stability.