By Chijioke Hilary
Uneasy calm and palpable tension pervades Imo state Justice Ministry as some officials of the Judiciary are poised for a showdown with the state government over certain unwarranted deductions.
The inability of the state government to properly explain some reasons behind certain deductions from the monthly salaries of some category of officials of the state judiciary is the bone of contention.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that about ten percent was allegedly deducted from the monthly salaries of some category of workers. Reasons for the deduction which was affected in May 2012, and June 2012 salaries were not properly explained to the workers forcing them to protest.
The state government however promised to refund the deduction in subsequent months. Three months after, the affected employees, especially the Magistrates who had their salaries reduced due to the deduction policy are threatening fire and brimstone if their deducted monies were not refunded.
Having waited for months without government fulfilling its promise of refunding the deduction, the magistrates are planning to make public their grievances’ against the policy.
A Judicial worker revealed to Imo Trumpeta that about ten percent was deducted from the monthly salaries of Magistrates for the aforementioned months, adding that government promise to refund has been unsuccessful.
“The magistrates are lamenting why government would deduct their monies at will. They are complaining why government despite promises of paying back failed to fulfil its promise”, the source who pleaded anonymity added.
