Uyo, A brewing industrial dispute is set to hit the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary as Customary Court Assessors have threatened to down tools from Monday, August 4, 2025, over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage for their cadre.
In a petition dated July 25, 2025, and addressed to the Hon. Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, through the Chief Registrar, the aggrieved employees expressed deep frustration over what they described as a discriminatory denial of the minimum wage, despite fulfilling all screening requirements alongside other judiciary staff.
The letter, jointly signed by the Chairman, Idaraesit Ikpe, and Secretary, Utitofon Nnana, lamented that although approval for their inclusion in the minimum wage structure had long been routed through the office of the Head of Service to the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, the implementation has remained stalled for more than six months.
According to the Assessors, they currently earn about ₦47,000 monthly—an amount they claim is below the salary for Grade Level 1, Step 1—despite being placed on Grade Level 7, Step 1. They described the situation as “very disappointing and embarrassing,” stressing that rising transportation costs and economic pressures had worsened their plight.
The group further stated: “We have therefore unanimously decided that we will no longer go to work with effect from Monday 4th August, 2025 until we are paid the new minimum wage.”
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Chairman of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Chairmen of all Customary Courts in the state, signaling a possible wider industrial unrest within the judiciary if the matter is not urgently addressed.
As at press time, efforts to reach the Head of Service and the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy for comments were unsuccessful.
