40 Lawyers Officer Allegedly Disengaged By The Ministry Of Justice Cross Rivers State, Calls On Gov. Ben Ayade To Restore Their Names On The State Payroll

Forty law officers allegedly employed to work in the Ministry of
Justice of Cross Rivers State has called on the Governor of the
State, Sir Senator Professor Ben Ayade, to immediately restore
their names on the state payroll and order the immediate payment of
their earned salaries.

This call was made following the Governor’s decision disengaging
and terminating the employment of the 40 law officers serving in
the State Ministry of Justice. According to a letter signed by
Adeoye G. Mobolaji, and made available to TheNigerialawyer
(TNL), the affected law officers were employed in December
2016, about three years ago, after a rigorous employment process
which was reported in various newspapers and outlets nationwide,
and that, it became clear that all was not well in the state when
sometime in August 2019 the Governor ordered a screening of all the
civil servants in Cross River State, purportedly to fish out ghost
workers; that in September, 2019, salaries were servants but 40 Law
Officers working at the Ministry of Justice were not paid. None of
them paid to civil was served with any letter of termination and
were still working actively pondering why their salaries were not
paid.

“It became clear that all was not well in the state when
sometime in August 2019 the Governor ordered a screening of all the
civil servants in Cross River State, purportedly to fish out ghost
workers. In September, 2019, salaries were paid to civil servants
but 40 Law Officers working at the Ministry of Justice were not
paid. None of them was served with any letter of termination and
were still working actively pondering why their salaries were not
paid.

“It only became clear upon an enquiry by the affected law
officers that the Governor acting through the accountant general
unilaterally ordered the removal of their names from the payroll
without recourse to any of the affected staff. October salaries
have now been paid and the affected Law Officers, who are still
being owed six months’ salary from December 2016 to May 2017, are
yet to receive their wages.

“On 26th September 2019, a letter was written to the Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Calabar from the Senior Special
Adviser, Payroll requesting for the revalidation of all approvals
for employment from 2015 to date. An original copy of the approval
granted by His Excellency, Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor, then in his
capacity as Acting Governor, Cross River State, was forwarded to
the office of the SSA Payroll and to His Excellency the Governor of
Cross River State. Despite this, the affected Law Officers whose
employment has since been confirmed by the Government of Cross
River State are still yet to be paid. This is all the more baffling
as the Governor’s actions took place immediately after his victory
at the Governorship Election Tribunal,” the letter reads.

Recounting one of the narrations of the affected officers, he
stated that they are pleading with the Governor to reconsider his
stand, stressing that, there is no irregularity in the process
which led to their appointment.

“We noticed for the first time that while other workers were
paid September salaries, we didn’t get any payment. This prompted a
few of us to march to the accountant general’s office for
enquiries. We were told that His Excellency ordered the removal of
our names from the payroll and that our employment is to undergo a
revalidation. We were encouraged to be patient, that the exercise
would last for about 30 days and by the end of October, we would be
paid double salaries for September and October. It is still a
wonder that we have not been paid till now even when other workers
have got their October salaries. The letter we wrote to the
Accountant General seeking an explanation on why our salaries are
yet to be paid has not been responded to till date.

“It may interest you to know that our employment went through
the most rigorous and transparent process. Vacancies were
advertised, we applied in writing and later wrote an aptitude test
in which over 100 applicant lawyers participated. An oral interview
was subsequently conducted. At the end of it all, 40 of us
successfully made the final list. The whole employment process
lasted for about 6 months (from June, 2016 to early December, 2016)
and was conducted/supervised by the State Civil Service Commission
(the body statutorily empowered to employ civil servants) as well
as the Attorney General.

We were issued with employment letters and later trained by the
Ministry of Establishment & Training. Our employment has since
been confirmed after two years of meritorious service with letters
issued to that effect, as required by the Public Service Rules.
Where lies the irregularity in the employment as alleged and why
after about 3 years of effective and meritorious service?”

“Our employment was with effect from December, 2016. Since then
a lot has happened. We have diligently prosecuted and defended
government cases in all courts of the land, including the appellate
courts. My appeal is that the digital and supersonic governor Ben
Ayade should allow humanity and good conscience to guide his
thoughts and actions. He should immediately restore our names on
the payroll and order the immediate payment of our earned salaries.
If not for anything, let him do that at least for the sake of our
suffering family members and dependents. Our salaries from December
2016 to May 2017 are still being owed,” he said.