Governor Otti Refutes Judiciary Workers' Strike Allegations – Clarifies Payments Made

Governor Alex Otti clarifies that his administration has fully paid Abia judiciary workers’ salaries, urging the Nigerian Bar Association and workers to question JUSUN leadership for the ongoing strike.

Governor Otti Denies Owing Abia Judiciary Workers Amid Strike

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has addressed the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia chapter, clarifying that his administration is not responsible for the delayed payment of judiciary workers’ salaries.

Speaking at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Service held at Queen Elizabeth Chapel, Umuahia, Otti responded to reports from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which urged him to settle judiciary workers’ payments. He emphasized that his government had already released over ₦300 million for their salaries, but JUSUN leadership had yet to distribute the funds.

Funds Released, But Workers Unpaid

Otti disclosed that on December 24, 2024, his administration remitted ₦283,242,318.50 into the judiciary’s account. He further clarified:

“As of this morning, the judiciary leaders have refused to pay their workers. The judiciary is an independent arm of government. Our duty is to remit funds to their account, and their duty is to pay their workers.”

Additionally, the governor stated that he had approved an extra ₦27 million for the judiciary workers and even ensured the payment of their thirteenth-month salary. Despite these payments, the strike persists, leading Otti to question the union’s motives.

JUSUN’s Role in the Dispute

Governor Otti criticized the JUSUN leadership for avoiding the minimum wage negotiation initiated by his government. Instead, he claimed the union created its own salary calculations, which were later discovered to contain significant errors.

He urged judiciary workers to hold their union leaders accountable for the ongoing strike and advised the Nigerian Bar Association to thoroughly investigate the situation before passing judgment.

Commitment to Armed Forces and Retirees

During the service, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s continued support for both retired and active personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In a related statement, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Legion, Commodore Ekekwe Duroha (retd.), called for increased assistance to retired officers and widows, especially considering current economic challenges.