Breaking the Chains: Governor Otti Kickstarts Payment Process For Abia Judicial Workers’ Long-Pending Salaries

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In an official statement, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary for the governor, announced that Dr. Alex Otti has initiated the disbursement of salary arrears spanning eight years for judiciary workers in the state…CONTINUE READING

These workers, owed since January 2015, had engaged in an indefinite strike against the previous state government before Otti assumed office on May 29.

Uko underscored the workers’ various demands, which included the confirmation of Justice Lilian Abai as the substantive Chief Judge, a position she had held in an acting capacity for over six months.

Other demands encompassed the settlement of arrears under the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure, leave allowances, and the establishment of judicial autonomy.

The statement emphasized that, following Otti’s inauguration, his administration committed to fulfilling these demands.

The previous administration had only addressed one of the four demands — confirming the Chief Judge — and Otti’s intervention and commitment to settling outstanding salary arrears led to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia State Chapter, calling off the strike in June 2023.

Governor Otti’s spokesman noted that the Abia State Government has commenced the payment of consolidated salary arrears to JUSUN members, fulfilling their promise.

Oracle Chinedu Eze, the union leader, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti and the state government for honoring their commitment to salary payments.

“It is with a grateful heart full of joy and happiness that I, on behalf of the entire Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria members and executives, wish to inform and appreciate you for the first batch of the CONJUSS arrears paid yesterday (November 15, 2023).”