The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has denied allegations that he is responsible for the ongoing strike by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Osogbo and signed by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale said the governor’s attention had been drawn to a letter dated 8 December 2025 from the Forum of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Branches in Osun State, which accused him and his appointees to the Judicial Service Commission, JSC, of contributing to the paralysis in the judiciary.
The government also said “it was necessary to issue a rejoinder to correct the misrepresentations contained in the petition and to reaffirm Governor Adeleke’s commitment to constitutional governance, the rule of law and the effective functioning of the judiciary.”
According to the statement, “the governor remained concerned about the shutdown of judicial activities across the state. The allegations of refusal by government-appointed members of the JSC to attend meetings were unfounded.”
It added that “the paralysis was linked to the alleged refusal of the Chief Judge to convene meetings of the commission or to implement the Memorandum of Agreement signed at the end of the previous JUSUN strike.”
The statement claimed “the Chief Judge had failed to convene any meeting of the JSC for two years despite letters and reminders from the Attorney-General and JUSUN. This is a dereliction of duty.”
It challenged the Chief Judge and the NBA to produce evidence of any meeting convened during the period.
The government recalled that the governor intervened personally during the last strike when, on February 6, 2024, the National President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, met him to address the union’s grievances.
A tripartite agreement was later signed between JUSUN, the state government and the judiciary.
It listed the commitments in the agreement, “including the convening of JSC meetings, reinstatement of suspended staff, payment of robe allowances and development of a scheme of service for judiciary workers.”
The statement alleged that the Chief Judge had refused to implement her obligations under the agreement, stressing that the responsibility to convene JSC meetings lay solely with the Chief Judge as chair of the commission.
It cited several letters as evidence to the Chief Judge’s refusal to act, including correspondences from March and July 2024 and a joint request from JSC members seeking compliance with the agreement.
According to the government, “claims that its appointees boycotted meetings were false. The only attempt at convening a meeting was through what it termed an unconstitutional directive by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, which was thwarted when the High Court premises were locked by striking workers.”
It also alleged that “JUSUN had warned of the impending strike before its commencement but that the Chief Judge neither engaged the union nor addressed the issues raised. JUSUN reported that the Chief Judge travelled abroad at the onset of the strike.”
The statement added that JUSUN members were threatened with arrest during a scheduled meeting with the Chief Judge, further worsening the situation.
Government-appointed members of the JSC were said to have demonstrated willingness to resolve the crisis, particularly at an emergency meeting of November 17, 2023 where the Attorney-General was nominated to coordinate proceedings in the absence of the Chief Judge and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
The statement reaffirmed Governor Adeleke’s commitment to safeguarding the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring the judiciary resumes full operations. It urged the Chief Judge to “do the right thing” and avoid actions that could hinder the resolution of the crisis.