The National Industrial Court (NIC), Owerri today Wednesday 5th July 2017 nullified the slashing of payments to pensioners of the Imo State Public Service. The 60% Slash was contained in a form issued by the Imo State Government to pensioners to sign accepting the cut.
Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Anuwe held that the Imo State Government acted illegally and unconstitutionally. The court also made an order of perpetual injunction against the Imo State Government and its officers and agents.
The pro bono case was brought before the Honourable Court by the Owerri Branch of NBA and handled by Barr. Uche Wisdom Durueke.
According to a text message from the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Barr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, obtained by PoliticsNGR, the Imo state government and its agents can no longer carry out the directives of the controversial document.
It read;
“To the glory of God Almighty who rules over the affairs of men and who gave the NBA Owerri branch under our Leadership the will to come to the assistance of the Pensioners in Imo State, I want us to thank the Almighty God for the wonderful judgment just delivered this morning in favour of the Pensioners in Imo State and indeed all over the country.
The National Industrial Court set aside the document by the Imo State Government purporting to slash the accrued pension arrears and gratuity of Pensioners in Imo State by 60% and making the signing of the undertaking a condition precedent for payment of their pension and gratuity. The learned Judge, O. N. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court Owerri Division went ahead to perpetually restrain the Imo State Government and its agents from carrying out in any manner the contents of the controversial document.”
