A team of legal experts have been raised by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) , Imo State branch to commence legal proceedings against the office of the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, for gross violation of the fundamental human rights and the rule of law, contrary to the provisions of the relevant sections of the Nigerian constitution.
This disclosure was made recently in Owerri, the state capital by the Imo State chairman of the NBA, Barr. L.U.N Nwakaeti while speaking to Christian Voice on a number of topical issues, including the on-going face-off between the government and the Imo pensioners, and the present calls in some quarters to recall all the 27 members of the Imo State House of Assembly.
According to Barr. Nwakaeti, to be joined in the legal tussle are; the Imo state Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State Accountant- General and chairman of the state civil service.
The NBA boss said that his association was compelled to take the action as it could no longer fold its arms and watch impunity, aberrations and gross violation of human rights in a state that was once the envy of other states in Nigeria.
On the present face-off between the Imo State government and the Imo pensioners, the legal luminary lamented that Imo pensioners have been “forced to eat sand” which has triggered untold hardship and heavy death toll among them, adding that a situation where pensioners are owned up to 60 months and above is mind boggling.
To add salt to injury, according to Barr. Nwakaeti, pensioners in Imo were told to for fit 60% of their life-time entitlements, a situation which has created fear and anxiety among the present civil servants, adding that it could breed corruption of immense magnitude.
On who picks the legal fee, Barr. Nwakaeti said that his association is rendering free service, as its mission is to save the lives of Imo pensioners who are daily dying in droves.
On why the three top government functionaries would be joined in the suit, the NBA boss said because they failed to meet up with the challenges of their high offices.
On when the legal action would commence, and possible areas the government would respond, Barr. Nwakaeti said that he would not pre-empt the NBA strategy, as arrangements have almost been concluded.
(c) Christian voice newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment