Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti says the information making the rounds is false and has no basis .
Speaking at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day Service held at the FMC Chapel, Umuahia the Governor wondered why after releasing over three hundred million naira including the 13th month to the judiciary they have refused to pay their workers.
“First of all, you should know that this is a government that does not owe,so it is untrue that judiciary workers have not been paid”
“By the time the minimum wage was reviewed upwards, we started engaging with them just like the Nigerian Labour Congress.
“Interestingly they refused to come and sit with the government, they sat in the comfort of their offices and did their own review themselves and the matter was getting a bit more serious.
“So, I had to intervene engaged with the Honorable Chief Judge who intervened and asked them to bring their workings and when we saw their workings we found a lot of errors, which we corrected.
“I sat down myself to ensure that by the 24th of December I worked with the Accountant General, Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Finance and we concluded everything about their salary and on the 24th of December we remitted N283,242,318.50! to the judiciary.
“Interestingly, as at this morning they have refused to pay their workers.
“I even approved another N27 million to make it about N300million which they should have also received and I approved an additional money for the thirteenth month salary that I paid other workers in the state” Gov. Otti explained.
On the the event being celebrated, he directed his Special Adviser on security matters Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah Rtd to liaise with the Chairman Nigeria Legion Abia state council on the best way to improve the living condition of its members and widows of the fallen heroes.
Governor Otti noted that despite the poor environment members of the Armed forces find themselves,they have continued to serve the nation without complaints, adding that they deserve to be celebrated for their sacrifices and selfless services to the nation.
The Governor described the day as special as it provides Nigerians the opportunity to celebrate those still serving as well as remember fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives, freedom and pleasure to keep the nation safe and secured.
In his spech, the state Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Captain Ekekwe Duroha Rtd, thanked God for the day to remember their fallen Colleagues and to celebrate those actively serving the nation and called on all to always uphold them in Prayers.
In a Sermon earlier, the Administrator FMC Chaplaincy, The Very Rev’d Ernest Onyeukwu while appreciating members of the Armed forces for their bravery and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation,prayed God to always protect them and their families.
The Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service was attended by the wife of the Governor Mrs Priscilla Otti, the Deputy Governor Chief Ikechukwu Emetu and wife, the Speaker Abia House of Assembly Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa and wife, members of the state Executive Council, the state Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai, Service Chiefs, members of the Nigerian Legion and their spouses and host of other Abians.
