Teryima Andrew, Jos
Judges of the Sheria, Area and Customary Courts Association of Nigeria (SACCJAN), Plateau State has served a 14 day ultimatum to the Plateau state governor, Mr. Simon Lalong to pay their 9 years outstanding dressing allowances.
The SACCJAN threatened to embark on indefinite industrial action on the expiration of the ultimatum, should their plight is not addressed.
Leaders of the association in a letter signed by it chairman, and secretary Ayuba Danzel and Frank Lojok dated 23rd May, 2017, gave the warning on Thursday.
The letter was obtained by Journalists in Jos, leaders of the association lamented what they call discrimination in the payment of the said dressing allowances which their counterparts in the Ministry of Justice have been enjoying their allowance; they alleged.
“We the entire Judges of the Lower Court Bench do unanimously give 14 days ultimatum for the payment of our outstanding dressing allowances which has not been paid for about nine years.
“In the event were our demands are not met within the said 14 days, we shall be left with no other option than to down tool and commence a sit down strike till our demands are complied with. This is with effect from 23rd May, 2017.”
Reacting to the development, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Dan Manjang, appeal to the Judges to shelve their action and tour the path of dialogue rather than embarking on sit at home strike over the issues.
The government spokesman pleaded with the Judges to exercise patience, saying government will pay the outstanding soon.
Meanwhile, leader of the group had said the association has met all constituted authorities on the matter to be resolved, but to no avail, hence the decision of the ultimatum.
