An industrial court has issued a compelling order to three commercial banks, where Nasarawa State government accounts are held, to promptly release over N1 billion to 170 pensioners as payment for their gratuities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The ruling by Justice Isaac Essien came in response to a creditors’ judgment case filed against the Nasarawa State government by a group of retirees in Makurdi, Benue State. The court also imposed a fine of N4 million against the state government….CONTINUE READING

The Patriotic Local Government Pensioners Union, representing the group of retirees, sought the court’s intervention in enforcing the creditors’ judgment for the payment of their retirement benefits.

Before delivering the ruling, Justice Essien dismissed two motions filed by the state government and asserted that the three commercial banks involved in the suit failed to provide sufficient reasons for not enforcing the garnishee order. As a result, the court ordered the banks to transfer the specified amount to the counsel representing the retirees for immediate disbursement to them.

Justice Essien further explained that the Nasarawa State government violated the constitutional rights of the retirees by neglecting to fulfill their entitlements.

Barrister Sunday Okpale, counsel to the pensioners, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, stating that justice has finally been served for his clients. He added that he had faced persecution from the Nasarawa State government for advocating on behalf of the senior citizens’ rightful entitlements.

Meanwhile, Barrister Egye Aliyu, representing Nasarawa State government, indicated that further action would be taken in response to the judgment in due course.