The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Kogi State on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest in Lokoja over alleged neglect of judicial workers’ welfare by the state government.
The protesting workers demanded immediate payment of outstanding leave bonuses, implementation of promotions, and inclusion in the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme.
Speaking with journalists during the demonstration, the state chairman of JUSUN, Comrade Emmanuel Nda Waniko, said the protest became necessary following several unsuccessful attempts by the union to engage the government on the issues affecting members.
According to him, judicial workers in the state have not received leave bonuses since 2020, even though other categories of civil servants have continued to enjoy the entitlement.
“The peaceful protest embarked upon by the union is to press home our demand for the payment of our leave bonuses. We have made concerted efforts through a series of letters, but all to no avail,” Waniko stated.
He described the situation as unfair and discriminatory, stressing that the continued non-payment of entitlements has negatively affected the morale and welfare of judiciary workers across the state.
Waniko also lamented the non-implementation of promotions for judicial staff since 2020, noting that many workers have remained on the same grade level for years without advancement or annual increments.
“Since 2020, there has been no promotion for judicial workers. This has led to stagnation, with many staff trapped on a particular grade level for years without any form of progression,” he said.
The union leader further accused the state government of excluding judicial workers from the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme despite the approval of the programme by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He noted that while other civil servants and local government employees are already benefiting from the scheme, judiciary staff have continued to be left out.
