Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired by Rivers State government from the state civil service have dragged the government before the National Industrial Court for unlawful disengagement.

The eight permanent secretaries instituted the case at the Yenagoa division of the court and prayed the court to prevent the state government from evicting them from their official residences and seizure of their official vehicles.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Tuduru Ede, said the state government’s action in relieving the affected permanent secretaries – Sam Woka, Kadilo Brown, Augustine Orlu-Orlu, Muka Nwikosi, Minabelema Michael-West, Ngozi Abu, Kingsley Hart, and Justina Jumbo – was in contravention of the civil service rules and therefore should be declared null and void.

Joined in the suit are the attorney-general of the state, head of service of the state, the state civil service commission, and the accountant general of the state.

Justice James Agbadu-Fishim, while ruling on the application for a stay of action restraining the state government from harassing the plaintiffs, adjourned the case to January 21 due to the absence of the defence counsel, who requested for time to make an appearance.