Judicial workers in Kogi state, on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest over alleged years of neglect, calling on the state government to urgently address their welfare concerns, including unpaid leave bonuses, stalled promotions and exclusion from the state health insurance scheme.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, the Kogi State Chairman of JUSUN, Comrade Emmanuel Nda Waniko, said the demonstration became necessary after several unsuccessful attempts by the union to engage the government on issues affecting judiciary workers.
According to him, judicial workers in the state have not received leave bonuses since 2020, despite the fact that 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 expressed concern that the prolonged non-payment has adversely affected the morale and welfare of judicial workers, describing the situation as unfair and discriminatory.
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 career progression 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 JUSUN chairman further accused the Kogi State Government of excluding judicial workers from the state’s 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.
Waniko urged the state government to urgently address the grievances of judicial workers, stressing that improved welfare, fair treatment and career advancement are necessary for the effective functioning of the judiciary.
