Following the inability of government to pay their eight years dressing allowances, the Plateau State Chapter of the Sharia and Customary Court Judges Association of Nigerian (SACCJAN), on Wednesday commenced an indefinite sit-down strike action.
This was disclosed by Chairman of the Association, Hon. Ayuba Dazel, while briefing journalists after an emergency congress of the Association, held at Court 4, Plateau State High Court Complex Jos.
Dazel urged the 140 Judges that make up the association to comply strictly with the directive.
“The Plateau State chapter of Sharia, Area and Customary Court Judges Association of Nigeria (SACCJAN) resolved during a congress meeting held today, 14th June, 2017, that all lower Court Judges in the state are going on sit-down strike action because our dressing allowances have not been paid since 2009.
“Other Ministries and Departments, particularly the Ministry for Justice and Plateau State House of Assembly have been paid and i don’t know why we in the Judiciary Arm of Government have not been paid.
“It is on this note that all Judges are directed to be in their respective offices but will not carry out any assignment until our demands are made”, he said.
Dazel expressed regret that despite the 14 days ultimatum issued to the Governor in a letter dated May 23, 2017 which expired last week Tuesday, government had not shown concern towards addressing their plight.
He lamented over the discrimination in payment of the said allowances which their counterparts in the Ministry for Justice has been enjoying.
The Chairman further explained that the association has consulted all constituted authorities on the matter, but no concrete decision has been taken towards resolving the abnormalities, adding that they are left with no option than to down tool until government do the needful.
However, when contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Dan Manjang, appealed to the judges to stay away from their dangerous action and pursue dialogue, more so that the Governor is from their constituency.
Manjang said it was not deliberate for government not to pay their entitlement, and begged the judges for more understanding, saying “the hitches is due to the precarious financial status of the state”.
The Governor’s aide noted that Government is up to date in the payment of public workers and pensioners in the state and effort are being made to clear all outstanding allowances of civil servants in the state.
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