The standoff between judiciary workers in Abia State and the government has persisted, as authorities insist that payment of the disputed allowance will only be made after workers provide verifiable evidence.
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in the state have been on an indefinite strike since March 15, 2026, over claims that they are owed Leave Allowance. However, the state government maintains that such payments may already be included in their current salary structure.
Speaking at Government House in Umuahia, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, explained that the workers were asked to present proof that their salaries—under the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS)—do not already cover Leave Bonus, which the government says is equivalent to the allowance being demanded.
According to him, the request for evidence was made two days before the strike began, but the union failed to respond and instead proceeded with industrial action. He added that the Office of the Accountant-General also requested details on how the workers calculated their claims and confirmation that they had not previously received such bonuses.
Uwanna emphasized that once JUSUN provides credible evidence showing that Leave Bonus is not part of their salaries, the government is prepared to process and pay the allowance within 48 hours.
The government also noted that the consolidated salary system is designed to include all benefits in a single structure, even if they appear as separate components. It further claimed that, based on its findings, the Federal Government does not pay Leave Allowance separately to JUSUN members nationwide.
With both sides yet to reach an agreement, the strike continues, affecting judicial activities across the state.
