Court fixes June 12 to rule on alleged unpaid 26 months salaries

The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has fixed June 12 for ruling in a case of alleged unpaid 26 months salaries instituted by Agboghoroma Olufemi against the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Olufemi, who retired from the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria in June 2015, sued the Accountant General of the Federation over alleged unpaid basic salary.

The clamant, who is also asking for damages, joined the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Attorney – General of the Federation in the suit.

The claimant is asking the court to prevail on the respondents to pay him his accrued salaries.

The retiree had alleged that the respondents owed him 26 months’ salaries before his retirement.

The presiding judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, fixed the date after listening to the submissions of parties in the suit.

Counsel to the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr A. Isah, in his preliminary objection argued that the commission was not a necessary party in the suit.

He urged the court to strike out the name of the commission, adding that “joining us in the suit will not serve any purpose.

“We are saying that our name should be struck out of the suit,” he said.

Counsel to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Mr Shehu Aliyu, also urged the court to strike out the suit for being incompetent.

Counsel to the claimant, Mr Edafe Emakpor, in his submission told the court that the claimant joined the respondents to ascertain who should pay him the backlog of his salary.

He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objections of the respondents, saying “Let them go and file their defence.”

The court then fixed the adjourned date for ruling.