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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In a significant victory for retired civil servants in Nasarawa State, the Industrial Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State on Friday ordered the immediate disbursement of over N1 billion from three commercial banks to 170 retired workers as their retirement gratuities.
The ruling came after a group of retirees, under the aegis of the Patriotic Local Government Pensioners Union, Nasarawa State, sought enforcement of a creditors judgment case against the Nasarawa State Government for the payment of their retirement benefits.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Isaac Essien, delivered the judgment, dismissing two motions filed by the state government to disregard the case and also free himself from the proceedings.
He further ordered the three commercial banks, which were joined in the suit, to pay over N1billion from the Nasarawa State Government’s account into the bank account of the retirees’ counsel for disbursement to the pensioners. The court also awarded N4 million judgment cost against the state government.
Justice Isaac Essien said it was a violation of the nation’s constitution to deny senior citizens their entitlements, emphasising that those who have diligently served the state deserve a better life post-retirement.
