Lokoja – A Kogi government employee, Mr Elijah Nicolas, has sued the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Isah Ichaba and two others, over non-payment of his salary and allowances.

In the originating summons from a Lokoja High Court on Monday, made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, the plaintiff also joined the state government and the state’s Attorney-General in the suit.

Nicolas claimed that he was employed in 2004 and that he had appointment confirmed in 2006.

He said that the payment of his salary and allowances were stopped in April 2009 during a staff audit by an “unregistered external auditor”.

Nicholas said that no letter of disengagement was served on him.

He said he was seeking, among others, an order directing the state government to pay the arrears of his monthly salary and allowances from May 2009 to date.

Nicholas said he was also seeking an order removing the first defendant (Ichaba) from Office and restraining him from parading himself as the Head of Service having served 37 years against the statutory 35 years.

In the summons, supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit, the plaintiff posed three fundamental questions for determination by the court.

He said the court should determine if the first defendant having attained the statutory retirement age and served the required number of years up till March 2009, could still remain in office and function as Head of Service.

Nicholas also sought to know whether the fundamental breach of the relevant chapter of the Federal Government Public Service Rules 2000 could be reversed by the court.

He is also asking the court to determine whether the refusal to pay his salaries was not a breach of the public service rules.

The defendants were given eight days within which to enter appearances in respect of the matter.
(NAN)