Ondo State’s justice system has come to a near-total halt as judicial workers accuse Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of deliberately undermining the judiciary through drastic budget cuts, partial financial autonomy, and neglect of welfare.

The state judiciary’s proposed budget was slashed from ₦17 billion in 2025 to ₦9.5 billion for 2026, a reduction of nearly 45%, which officials warn will cripple court operations and exacerbate already poor working conditions.

Judicial officers also criticized the governor’s decision to grant only “80% autonomy” limited to recurrent expenditures, excluding capital projects. They warn this could result in salary cuts of up to 20% while leaving infrastructure decay unaddressed.

Court buildings across Ondo State are reportedly in deplorable condition, with leaking roofs forcing judges to suspend sittings during rainfall. Magistrates and Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts reportedly commute on commercial motorcycles, while high court judges rely on official vehicles over six years old, with repair requests ignored since 2024.

The Commissioner for Finance allegedly refused to release ₦400 million previously approved by the governor, deepening the financial and operational crisis. Sources say Governor Aiyedatiwa has been unable—or unwilling—to enforce compliance from his appointee.

As a result, magistrates, Customary Court Presidents, Legal Research Officers, and members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have embarked on an indefinite strike, locking judges out of the Judiciary Headquarters in Akure and halting all court activities statewide.

Judicial sources describe the governor’s actions as hypocritical, pointing out that he previously benefited from favorable judicial processes. “The governor wants obedience without justice,” one officer lamented.

Observers note that the crisis mirrors a similar strike in Kogi State in December 2025, suggesting a broader pattern of state-level neglect of judicial independence.

Legal analysts warn that the ongoing paralysis threatens the rule of law, public safety, and democratic governance in Ondo State.