A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, has restrained the Delta State Head of Service, HOS, from disengaging workers from the state civil service without their pension.
Trial judge, Justice G. Briki-Okolosi, granted the order, followed a motion ex-parte by some aggrieved workers, numbering 1,000, who felt threatened that their jobs were on the line following a circular by the state Head of Service, Mr. Okey Ofili, over their planned disengagement.
The plaintiffs, V. O. Ogeh and Ost Agoma, suing for themselves and on behalf of all workers of Delta State Civil Service, who are affected by the non- pensionability of the state government policy, had sought for an order restraining the defendants, either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates, successor in office or any other persons whosoever, from giving effect to the said circular issued by the HOS or dismissing, removing, terminating or retiring the claimants/applicants from Delta State Civil Service.
Defendants in the suit are the Governor of Delta State, state Attorney-General, Delta State Government and Delta State Civil Service Commission.
The court, in its ruling, said: “In the light of the above, it is hereby, ordered that the defendants be restrained in the terms of the prayer on the motion paper from giving effect to the circular No. HOS. ED.172/163, issued by the HOS, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Source: naij.com