News
N23B Pensioners’ Claims: Mutfwang To Appear in Court As Retirees Sue PLSG
******17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State To Appear In Court Tomorrow, April 8, 2024 As 986 Retirees Sue PLSG Over unpaid Gratuities & Pension Arrears
******As 986 Retirees Narrate Ordeal, Confirm Efforts To Foster Amicable Resolution With Plateau State Government, PLSG Proved Abortive.
By Victor Bieni, Jos
As part of efforts towards ensuring that the Judiciary play its roles in terms of contributing towards social peace, upholding the rights, trust of citizens for dispute resolution, fairness, equity and justice, Messrs Dung Mammam Zi and Zakka T. Plangzak on behalf of 986 Retirees of the 17 LGAs of Plateau State, had taken legal action against the Executive Governor of the State, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Chairmen of 17 Local Government Areas of the State and others as they are to appear in National Industrial Court Court, Jos, tomorrow being 8th April, 2024 over alleged unpaid gratuities and pension arrears worth N23B as claimed by the Local Government Retirees .
Our reporter learnt today being on Sunday, April 7, 2024 in a Lawsuit made available to some group of Journalists in Jos, Plateau State capital which contains the lawsuit as filed by Messrs. Dung Mamman Zi and Zakka T. Plangzak themselves and on behalf of 986 other retirees sued the 17 Local Government Councils Chairmen, Plateau State Government and 23 others as joined in Suit No: NICN/JOS/22/2023 in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria holding tomorrow being April 8, 2024 at Jos.
The Lawsuit hinted that, the case will be heard at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Jos on April 8th, 2024. The details of the Lawsuit as contained in the court order had it that, the 986 LG Councils Retirees in Plateau State had a lawsuit claims of a total of 23 billion Naira owed to them. This amount includes unpaid gratuities, pension arrears which was calculated based on 55% of the 18,000 minimum wage (instead of the 100% paid to state civil servants), and other outstanding pension amounts.
Historically, you could recall that the said ordeals as faced by the 986 retirees of 17 LGAs in Plateau State as learnt by our reporter, the Retirees retired between 2012 and the date of the lawsuit was filed in 2023. This, according to them, the Retirees have not received their gratuities. Most of the Retirees also have pension arrears dating back to their retirement, when they were only offered half pensions based on the 55% salary agreement. In 2011, the Plateau State Government represented by MLCA, LGSC witnessed by the Minister for Labour and Productivity as well as State chairman of NLC in Plateau State, who reached an interim agreement with the Labor Unions representing Local Government employees. This agreement stipulated a temporary 55% salary for local government employees compared to their state-level counterparts. The remaining 45% was promised upon improvement in government revenue.
According to the lawsuit as made available to newsmen, the media learnt that despite the minimum wage increases, the promised arrears have not been paid to the 986 retirees. Additionally, some health workers have suffered reductions in their Grade Levels, impacting their pension calculations. The 986 Retirees had also confirmed to the media that efforts for Resolution proved abortive as pursued using various avenues for resolution before resorting to legal action. They contacted the then Head of Service, Mrs. Hulda Fwanchi, who established a committee to investigate their case. The committee recommended calculating their pensions based on the full 100% salary rate given to state civil servants. However, this recommendation was not implemented.
The media learnt that, the legal basis for the claims on the lawsuit is supported by Sections 210 and 318(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), which define a Public Officer of the State to include Local Government staff. Additionally, Sections 16 and 20 of the Local Government Staff Pension Board Law of Plateau State state that upon retirement, a local government employee is entitled to the same benefits as those at the state level.
Authenticating the law suits, or legal action by the 986 Retirees of the 17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State to the media and in line with the arguments as presented by their Lawyers; which comprises of A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Edwin O.Okoro, the lead counsel, Mr. Nanyak Dindam Dashe, representing the retirees, argues that previous governments have mistakenly viewed local government employees as deserving less due to their association with the third tier of government. He emphasizes that these employees are essentially state government employees assigned to work at the local level.
Dashe contends that the Constitution recognizes only two public service categories: the Federal Public Service for federal government staff and the State Public Service, which encompasses both state-level employees under the State Civil Service Commission and local government employees under the Local Government Service Commission. Notably, the same House of Assembly established both commissions. Speaking further, Dashe argues that, local governments deserve greater support due to their direct service to rural communities. Regarding pensions and gratuities, he emphasizes their status as protected rights under Section 210 of the Constitution.
The counsel to the 986 Plateau State LGC Retirees, Dashe argues more on Pension Review and Minimum Wage Increase, that the retirees have the right to request a pension review since the Constitution mandates such reviews whenever salaries are adjusted. According to him, “Given that their pensions are currently based on the 18,000 minimum wage, they should be recalculated based on the new 30,000 Naira minimum wage. She anticipates further pension increases and gratuity recalculations with the potential introduction of a new minimum wage”.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
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