…As South Sudanese Staff of Kenyan bank strike over low pay***
An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday sentenced a former Air Vice Marshall, Tony Omenyi, to seven years imprisonment for fraud.
In a short judgment, Nnamdi Dimgba, the judge, ordered the forfeiture of N62 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being part of the N136 million recovered from Mr Omenyi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Dimgba also ordered the winding up of the company listed as the second defendant in the suit, describing it as a vehicle of corruption.
Mr Omenyi stood trial alongside his company, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Ltd (AETSL), for receiving over N136 million kickback from Syrius Technologies and Sky Experts Ltd., engaged by the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.
In the meantime, local staff of Co-operative Bank of Kenya in South Sudan on Wednesday began strike demanding pay rise and medical insurance.
Two of the bank’s four branches across the country have been closed and the over 130 South Sudanese employees have vowed not to return to work unless their demands are met.
The staff is demanding a 150 per cent pay increase, medical insurance and early pension payment in a bid to avert the devaluation of the South Sudan pounds which has plummeted in value since 2015.
“The reason for this peaceful strike is not to harm anybody. Not to destroy anything, but we need our management to come and listen to us. When we raise our issues and they are not addressed, we feel being undermined,’’ a male staff said.
“With the crisis, the salary can no longer sustain the local staff. We need some of these issues addressed because the salary cannot support the family,’’ another striking staff added.
Elijah Wamalwa, managing director of Co-operative Bank in South Sudan said the lender is looking at the grievances of its staff.
“The issues of salary and medical insurance covers have been comprehensively addressed.
“The bank is willing to pay the pension should the staff want the early payment as a way to protect them from devaluation,’’ Wamlawa said in a statement.
The Co-operative Bank, which is one of Kenya’s leading lenders, opened its doors in the world’s youngest nation in September 2013, taking a 51 per cent stake and the rest being held by the South Sudanese government.
Juma Youne Kebi, undersecretary for labour at the Ministry of Labour and Public Service said the Co-operative Bank informed them about the dispute with its local employees, and that authorities are working to address the matter.
Additional report from Premium
