Otti Begins Payment Of Abia Judicial Workers’ Eight-Year Salary Arrears

Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has started paying off eight-year-old salary arrears for state judicial employees.

According to a statement from the governor’s chief press secretary, Kazie Uko, the affected workers had been on strike against the previous state government since January 2015 before Otti took office on May 29.

Uko emphasized that Justice Lilian Abai’s confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge, who had served in that capacity for more than six months, was one of the demands made by the workers.

The establishment of judicial autonomy, leave allowances, and the payment of arrears under the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure were additional demands.

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According to the statement, the previous administration had only complied with one of the four demands, which was to confirm the Chief Judge. Governor-elect Otti then vowed to do so after taking office.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia State Chapter, called off the strike in June 2023 as a result of Otti’s intervention and dedication to paying the outstanding salary arrears.

The governor’s spokesman claims that by starting to pay JUSUN members’ consolidated salary arrears, the Abia State Government has kept its word.

Oracle Chinedu Eze, the union’s chairman and leader, was cited as praising Otti and the state government for upholding their salary-payment commitments.

On behalf of all members and executives of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, I would like to thank you for the first batch of CONJUSS arrears that were paid yesterday (November 15, 2023).

Source: Channels TV