The Abuja division of the National Industrial Court has ordered the Benue State government to pay Paulina Enejo, a Deputy Director retiree, the sum of N6.9 million, being her gratuity and pension arrears.
Justice Isaac Essien gave the order on Monday while delivering judgement in the suit filed by Paulina.
The judge declared that the defendants never disputed Paulina’s claims for her entitlements.
He said, “I have carefully considered the claimant’s case in this action.
“It is not in dispute that the claimant in this action, by the combined reading of Exhibits C1, C3 C2a and C2b, that the Benue State government employed the claimant until she retired on July 25, 2013.
“Following her retirement the computation of her retirement benefit was done in Exhibit C4. From Exhibit C4, she was entitled to N5.5 million as gratuity.
“It is the finding of this court that the claimant is entitled to be paid her gratuity as computed in Exhibit C4.
“Judgment is, therefore, entered in the sum of N5.5 million in favour of the claimant against the first defendant.
“The claimant also claims the sum of N1.4million as one-year pension as computed in Exhibit C4.
“This claim was not disputed by the defendants, who did not enter any defence to this action.
“The claimant is entitled to the one-year pension as computed in Exhibit C4. Judgment is, therefore, entered in favour of the claimant against the first defendant,” the judge held.
Background
According to Paulina, in October, 1985, she was offered a temporary appointment by the Benue State government via a letter of employment dated October. 22,1985.
In August 2007, her appointment was made permanent, and she was promoted to Deputy Director of Education.
According to NAN, she rose to the position of Deputy Director Education on Grade Level 15 Step 1 and retired on July 25, 2013.
When she retired, she was asked to furnish the defendants with her file and other documents at the office of the Auditor- General of the State for computation of payment of her retirement benefits.
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According to her, despite the computation of her benefit and several verbal demands made to the defendants, her terminal benefits were not paid, which led to her approaching the court to direct the defendants to effect the payment.
Other defendants in the suit include: The Bureau of Pensions, Benue State, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Benue State and the Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice of Benue State.
Judgement of the court in favor of the retiree
After listening to parties in the suit, Justice Essien ordered the state government to pay Paulina the sum of N6.9 million, being her gratuity and pension arrears.
The court also ordered the Benue State government to make the first instalment payment of N1 million to her on or before March 30 and subsequently N500,000 monthly until the liquidation of the judgement sum.
However, the N20 million sought by Paulina was not granted, nor was the claim for 20% on the post judgement interest, for lacking merit.