Justice Suleiman Belgore of
High Court 7 sitting in, Abuja dimissed a suit filed against, Nasarawa State Government by a group, Concerned Pensioners for lack of substance.
In his ruling on the case which lasted almost two hours, Justice Belgore told the applicants that the matter which was filed dated, July, 2, 2020 was not recorded. He therefore set aside the judgement of National Industrial court of Nigeria in Benue State which ruled in favour of 600 retirrees under the umbrella of Concerned pensioners.
“I hereby directed for the defreezing of the State Government accounts
He advised both parties to embrace the culture of the modern civilization, saying that the complainant’s counsel, S.O. Okpale presented a distorted fact stating that the leadership of the concerned are not inaugurated as members of the disbursement committee.
According to, Justice Belgore the argument of Okpale that Patrick Ogah and Musa Obakpa as chairmen of the two warring groups, Ibrahim Musa as Secretary,Timothy Maji, Alaku Wilberforce was contain in an exhibit MOJ 2,3,5.
He said Patrick Ogah was at the inaugural meeting of the disbursement committee set up in June 2020 as it contained in exhibit MOJ 2,5,6 in a well known disclosure of material fact.
While counsel to the applicants, S.O. Okpale shower commendation on the presiding Judge for the verdict, “Thought we are going to challenge the outcome of the Judgement in appeal court. He added
On his part, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Justice and Antony – General, Barrister Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana commended the presiding Judge, Justice Suleiman Belgore for his foresight in handling the matter with sense of professionalism.
He called on the counsel to the Concerned Pensioners to sheate his sword for the overall interest of the state which is above interest of an individual or group.
Kana in an interview with CAPITAL POST shortly after the judgement expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the matter, saying the defreezing of the State accounts commences with immediate effect with all formalities concluded.
The applicant legal team comprises of S.O.Okpale, the lead counsel, A.O Odonyi, A.O.Atubu, A.M.Owuna while the defense counsel comprises of the State Commissioner of Justice, Abdulkarim Kana, Dr.M.T Adelakun, Sharif Mohammed, Abu Samson, Raymond Umaru and M.Z Dikko.
Other counsels in court are John O for first ganishee which is Zenith bank, Bar. M.A Idu second ganishee for Fedelity bank,Taiwo Ajagbe, third ganishee for First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
Others are Bar. Abdulrazak Alfa fourth ganishee for United Bank for Africa (UBA), Joseph Agbo as fifth ganishee for Union bank, Nkechi Udeze as counsel for Eko bank.
Counsel for Stanbic IBTC bank is Confidence Fimie as seventh ganishee, Akogu Egina as 11 ganishee of Sterling bank, A.R. Ajibade representing Polaris C.M Maduka 15th ganishee for Keystone bank.
U H Usman, 15th ganishee representing First bank, Chemiezi Emeka representing Unity bank, Koeiuiyi Arinze representing Guranttee Trust Bank (GTB) while Sunday Adegbo 16 ganishee represent the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
