According to the governor’s spokesman,the Abia State Government has kept its promise by commencing the payment of consolidated salary arrears to JUSUN members.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has initiated the disbursement of salary arrears owed to judiciary workers, spanning an extensive eight-year period.
The Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, revealed in a statement that these workers, who had been in a prolonged dispute since January 2015, embarked on an indefinite strike against the previous state government. This continued until Otti assumed office on May 29.
Among the workers’ key demands were the confirmation of Justice Lilian Abai as the substantive Chief Judge, a position she held in an acting capacity for over six months. Additional demands included the settlement of arrears under the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure, leave allowances, and the establishment of judicial autonomy.
The statement outlined that the previous administration had only fulfilled one of the four demands—confirming the Chief Judge—after Governor-elect Otti pledged to do so following his inauguration. Otti’s intervention and commitment to settling the 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 stated that the Abia State Government has begun fulfilling its promise by commencing the payment of consolidated salary arrears to JUSUN members. The union leader and chairman, Oracle Chinedu Eze, expressed gratitude, acknowledging Otti and the state government for honoring their commitment to salary payments.
In a message to the Abia State Governor, conveyed through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, Eze wrote, “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 on November 15, 2023. Sir, we are most grateful and thankful sir. May Almighty God bless you mightily. Amen and remain lifted.”