The Industrial court has ordered three commercial banks to immediately disburse over N1bn in the accounts of Nasarawa state government to 170 pensioners as their retirement gratuity.
Justice Isaac Essien gave the order on Friday, while ruling on a creditors judgement case brought before the court against the Nasarawa state government by a group of retirees in Makurdi Benue state.
The court also awarded N4m judgement cost against the state government.
Justice Isaac Essien stated that the three commercial banks who were joined in the suit did not prove to the court why the garnishee order should not be enforced hence they were ordered to pay into the bank account of counsel to the retirees over N1bn belonging to Nasarawa state government for disbursement to the pensioners.
He explained that the Nasarawa state government had violated the constitutional rights of the retirees for failure to pay their entitlements.
“It is a violation of the nation’s constitution to deny the senior citizens their entitlements. These people have served the state up to their retirement. They deserve to a better life.
Speaking to journalists , Counsel to the Patriotic local government pensioners Union of Nasarawa state Mr. Sunday Okpale said justice had finally prevailed for his clients.
Also speaking, counsel to Nasarawa state government Mr. Egye Aliyu stated that they would take further action on the judgement in due course.
Chairman of the Patriotic local government pensioners Union Nasarawa state Mr. Emmanuel Amirkpa noted that the ruling was a clear display of giving hope to the common man.
He said they were committed to pursuing their legitimate rights in spite of the hardship they were subjected to having served the state faithfully.
Blue print