By Ugonne Uzoma
Owerri – The National Industrial Court, Owerri, on Tuesday adjourned till April 28, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners suit against Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and others.
The other respondents are the Accountant- General, Attorney-General and the Head of Service.
The Imo pensioners are challenging the state government’s policy which forced them to forfeit 60 per cent of their pension arrears and gratuities by signing a form prepared by the government.
The judge, Justice A.Y. Anuwe, adjourned the case to enable all parties in the matter to be properly served.
Counsel to the respondents, Osita Chukwuemeka, had prayed the court to grant him and his clients more time to prepare for the matter.
Chukwuemeka, a Senior State Counsel, told the court that he was served with the court processes on March 23, and needed time to respond to the issues raised in the matter.
Wisdom Durueke, lead counsel for the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who is handling the case on behalf of the pensioners pro bono (free), however, said the processes were served on March 15.
Durueke urged the court to proceed to hear the matter considering how urgent the demands of the senior citizens were.
Mr Lawrence Nwakaeti, the state NBA Chairman, said that the association was grateful to the presiding judge for granting a date that was very close, so that the litigation would be heard speedily.
The chairman of the pensioners, Gideon Ezeji, who addressed pensioners after the adjournment, thanked the NBA for its assistance.
“We will continue with this until this intimidation, illegality and lawlessness by the state is defeated.
“ We will never be forced to forfeit 60 per cent of our pensions and gratuities.
“We thank the NBA for coming to our aid in a bid to say no to this executive recklessness,” he said.