Dayo Dasilva, Ogun
The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) in Ogun State at the early hours of today picket the Omida branch of Fidelity Bank Plc in Abeokuta, the state capital over non-payment of Anambra State Staff workers and disregard to a court judgement delivered in favor of the union.
Members of the Labour union gathered at the entrance of the bank as early as 6.30 am preventing customers coming to transact with the financial institution from doing so, in a protest to compel the bank to respect the ruling of the court.
They were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Our salary is our rights fidelity bank don't support illegality and corruption trading with workers money is bad, fidelity bank pay us”; “Your action is tantamount to contempt,Justice delayed is justice denied you are wicked” and “We no go gree, aupctre” among others.
Ogun State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Folorunso Olanrewaju who disclosed that the protest was ongoing in all branches of Fidelity bank across Nigeria, complained that many of their members had died and those living can not meet up their basic needs due to the bank’s attitude which he said is ‘illegal, irresponsible and wicked’.
He explained, that the 2019 judgement delivered by Justice O. Arowosegbe at the National industrial court of Nigeria, Enugu Judicial Division mandated Fidelity bank, First City Monument Bank PLC and First bank of Nigeria to pay staff of Anambra State urban water asset holding corporation and Anambra State Waste Management Authority the sum of two billion seven hundred and ninety one million, one hundred and sixty four thousand, one hundred and fifty three naira eighty kobo being the outstanding salaries, promotion increment, gratuities, pensions, entitlements and benefits owed them.
Comrade Olanrewaju disclosed that while First city monument bank plc and first bank Nigeria plc obeyed the court ruling, Fidelity bank plc appealed and lost the case and still refused to obey the decisions and rulings of the Court.
The State Secretary Comrade Taiwo Adesola said the Fidelity bank was given several ultimatum which it refused to obey.
Officers of the Nigerian Police were seen at the bank maintaining law and order while some customers of the bank were seen turning back in disappointment.
All efforts to speak with the bank manager as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.
