The Abia State Government has asked the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria to suspend its ongoing strike and provide evidence that leave bonus is not included in its members’ consolidated salaries, assuring payment within 48 hours if verified.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, gave the directive in Umuahia during a media briefing alongside top government officials.
Uwanna explained that the union had demanded payment of leave allowance, but the Office of the Accountant General requested details supporting the claim, including proof that such benefits had not already been embedded in their salary structure.
According to him, the union is yet to provide the required documentation.
He stated that findings from the Accountant General’s office indicate that judiciary workers’ consolidated salaries already include a leave bonus component, which the government considers equivalent to the allowance being demanded.
The commissioner stressed that once JUSUN presents verifiable evidence showing the absence of a leave bonus component, the state would process payment within 48 hours.
Uwanna also addressed the ongoing staff verification exercise, noting that repeated resistance from judiciary workers has stalled the process and delayed pension payments for retirees.
He suggested the timing of the strike, coinciding with the planned verification raises concerns.
He urged the union to call off the strike and allow verification to proceed, emphasizing that pensioners are suffering delays due to the impasse.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, the Accountant General, Njum Onyemanam, said the state remains committed to paying salaries and pensions on or before the 28th of every month, stressing the need for proper documentation to enable payments.