By SUNNY OKIM

Some aggrieved ex-workers of Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Limited (NAHCo), have come together to employ legal means to fight for their terminal/severance benefits which they claim are long overdue.

An inside source hinted News Express that the ex-workers numbering about 750, have already engaged the services of a renowned Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Joe Nwokedi Esq to take up the legal battle and ensure that NAHCo management meets their demands within the shortest minimum period.

The ex-workers led by Funso Ojibanire (National Coordinator) and Sanmi Alademomi (General Secretary), according to our source, were former employees with the federal establishment until the company was privatised in 2005.

The privatisation was reportedly occasioned by the disengagement of their services from the company and untimely retirement from their work.

The source said majority of the ex-workers had put in 15 to 20 years of diligent and uninterrupted services in the company prior to the privatisation and were therefore entitled to remunerations being payment for their terminal benefits.

The hope of the retrenched workers however suffered severe setback when the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) allegedly shortchanged and eventually underpaid them after fifteen years of long wait for their lawful entitlements.

When contacted, Nwokedi confirmed to News Express that the ex-workers of NAHCo have engaged his professional services to press for their rights which he has accepted.

"It is true NAHCo ex-workers have engaged my professional services. And I want to say that I will ensure that justice is done in this matter. I am of the firm belief and conviction that my clients, the ex- workers of NAHCo Ltd, were not fairly and equitably treated in payment of their terminal benefits," said Nwokedi.

To ensure a reasonable time for an opportunity to be heard, Nwokedi informed that he has given a timeline of 14 days for any person or group of persons involved in this matter to do what is right, justifiable and fair, as he will not hesitate to deploy every necessary legal apparatus relevant to this issue, to ensure that justice prevails in the matter.

He also hinted that window of soft landing, mediation or amicable resolution of the matter will cease after the termination of the said period.

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