By Obeten Godfrey
The Cross River State Ministry of Justice says it has come to it’s notice that a certain group of people under the agies of Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) are planning to shut down the Ministry today Monday, the 2nd of July 2018.
According to the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Joe Abang, in a press release, “They claim that the Government of Cross River State has approved but not implemented the harmonization of their salaries with that of Judicial Officers in the Magistrate cadre.”
However, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said his office will not hesitate to implement the “No work, No pay policy” of the Federal Government should the need arise as he urged all staff to go about their official activities.
On her part, the SA Labor Matters to Governor Ayade, Mary Iji, said that, “The group is not part of NLC and TUC and therefore cannot declare a strike against a Government that has performed creditably well.
“This issue is in the 2018 budget and presently being handled by the Head of Service (HOS), Barrister Ekpenyong Henshaw, and the Accountant General of Cross River state.
“We therefore urge the general public and the service to ignore any body claiming to or purporting to be in support of this group. Our Digital Governor remains open to negotiations in this respect.”
All efforts made to contact the Law Officers Association Of Nigeria for comments was not successful at the time of filing this report.
But the Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum in the state, Batrister Eno Iyamba, who is also a law officer with the State Ministry of Justice in a message to his members this morning, urged reminded them that the strike action commences today.
Below is the details of the sms:
“REMINDER!!!
“Planned strike action by CRS Law Officers commences today. All law officers are to converge at MOJ HQ at 8am prompt. We shall be addressed by the LOAN Chairnan and then proceed to see the Head of Service. Dress code is black suit with bibs for men and colarette for women.
Don’t fail to be counted when it matters most! It’s far better to starve for one month and then smile for the rest of your service years.”