The Makurdi Division of the National Industrial Court has ordered the Benue state government to pay Mrs. Paulina Enejo, a retiree, the sum of N6.9 million as pension arrears and gratuity.
According to Business Hilights, on Thursday, Judge Isaac Essien issued the directive while rendering a decision in the case that Mrs. Enejo had petitioned the court for.
The money must be paid to her install mentally, starting with a payment of N1 million by the end of March and continuing with monthly payments of N500,000 starting in April 2023 and extending until the whole amount from the judgment has been paid.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit, Mrs. Enejo, disclosed to the court that she worked for the Benue state government.
She said that prior to her retirement in 2013, she had advanced through the ranks to become a Deputy Director.
She also claimed that when she retired as a deputy director of education, she was entitled to N1,457,510,00 in addition to N5,515,063. Pension backpay.
She said that she had tried everything to obtain her rights but to no avail, so she went to court.
She asked the court to order the state government to pay her N6.9 million in general damages as well as extra N20 million for the sufferings, unspeakable hardships, pains, and psychological anguish the defendants had inflicted on her.
The Benue state government did not mount a defense during the trial or contest Mrs. Enejo’s assertions.
In his ruling on the case, Judge Essien directed the Benue state government to pay Mrs. Enejo N6.972,573.00, which represents her pension arrears and gratuity.
According to the judge, she is qualified to receive her gratuity as determined by the Benue State Government.
She demanded N20 million in general damages, but the judge rejected her claim because she failed to provide proof of the supposed hardship.
With the first payment of N1 million due at the end of March, the N6.9 million that the court has ordered be paid to her install mentally.
