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Tag: National Industrial Court

  • Sacked lecturers sue Kogi govt to court

    One hundred and twenty lecturers at the Kogi State University Anyigba (KSU) who had their appointments terminated on the heels of the proscription of the local branch of the Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU), have dragged the state government before the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division.

    Joined in the action challenging their sack was the Attorney-General of Kogi State.

    In suit No: NIC/ABJ/304/2017, and instituted at the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, a copy of which was sighted by The Nation, the ASUU-KSU, led by the Acting Chairperson, Dr Daniel Oluwagbemiga Aina, is seeking redress over some contentious issues, including the proscription of the union and the termination of their appointments.

    The names of 113 lecturers were listed in the suit.

    Aina, at a press conference in Lokoja, said it was beyond Governor Yahaya Bello to prescribe the union.

    Reading from a text titled: “Towards Ending Impunity in Kogi State University”, he accused the Governor of rebuffing efforts to resolve the impasse between the government and the striking lecturers, and warned against what he described as the imminent collapse of the state-owned institution.

    “For the past three months, we were being pushed, pressed, oppressed and persecuted. We have prevailed to absorb all in our stride, hoping that the voice of reason, sanity and legalism will prevail across the strata of our tormentors. Many have wondered and even castigated us for not hitting the court long ago. We offer you some of the principles of the Academic Staff Union of Universities: we act, not react; we always explore every amicable means of resolution, not destroy.

    “The government of Kogi State, the Governing Council and management of Kogi State University Anyigba have taken steps which violate our fundamental human right and flouted the rules and regulations governing our contractual intercourse with the university.

    “We thought it is common knowledge that proscription of a trade union is beyond the jurisprudence of an executive governor. We have given time for this error to be corrected. The Nigerian Labour Congress made an attempt to wade into the matter, highlighting its illegality, but it was rebuffed. Twice we were at the office of the Honourable Minister for Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige in his bid for reconciliation but, the government of Kogi State never showed up.

    “ASUU has made a request to have audience with his Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State in a bid to finding a common ground for reconciliation, which was equally dishonoured out rightly.

    It must be noted that while ASUU was in a protracted strike of seven months, no move was ever made by the government of Kogi State or the Governing Council to reach a common ground.

    “Finally, ASUU has gone to court to seek for redress for the proscription of ASUU-KSU and the termination of the appointment of one hundred and twenty (120) academic staff members.

    “It is pathetic and unfortunate that taking a cursory look at the list of the purportedly sacked lecturers, identifying the courses they teach, the reallocation of such courses and identifying those who are assigned to teach those courses, it is crystal clear that the ‘one ready to kill has met the one ready to die’, while not knowing that there is no one to bury.

    “Unethical practices are done with imminent colossal damage in an effort to create the impression that all is well within the system”, he stated.

  • Court fixes Nov.9 for ruling in Gen. Ijioma’s suit against Nigeria Army Council

    Court fixes Nov.9 for ruling in Gen. Ijioma’s suit against Nigeria Army Council

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja has fixed Nov.9 for ruling  on a preliminary objection brought by the Nigeria Army Council, challenging the jurisdiction of court to hear Maj.-Gen. Ijioma Ijioma’s suit against the Council.

    The Presiding judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, fixed the date after listening to the submissions of parties in the suit.

    Ijioma, the claimant, is challenging his purported retirement by the Nigeria Army Council through a letter dated June 9, 2016.

    He joined the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of Army Staff as co- respondents.

    The Counsel to the Nigeria Army Council, Mr Michael Owolabi, in his preliminary objection had argued that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    He further argued that jurisdiction was a life wire of any judicial authority and urged the court to strike out the suit of the claimant for being “grossly incompetent”.

    The Counsel to the claimant, Mr Godwin Iyinbor, in his submission argued that the case before the court was that of the claimant challenging the letter of his purported retirement.

    Iyibor told the court that the claimant, who had served the army for 33 years, was in court because of the letter issued to him in June 2016.

    He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection of the respondent, saying that it was a ploy to further stall the proceedings of the case. ( NAN)

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  • Two ex-workers sue Daily Times for unpaid salary arrears

    Two ex-workers sue Daily Times for unpaid salary arrears

    Two ex-workers of Daily Times of Nigeria Plc have asked the National Industrial Court in Lagos to compel the firm to pay them their accumulated salary arrears of N910, 000 each.

    Uzuakpundu Nduka Patrick and Scott Babatunde, both journalists, are also seeking an order compelling the firm to pay them N40, 000 each as one month salary in lieu of notice of disengagement.

    In their August 10 statement of claim, the claimants averred that they worked for the Defendant between November 17, 2014 until they were disengaged on August 11 and 12, 2016, respectively.

    The letters of disengagement, they said, were retrospectively dated August 4, 2016.
    They said Daily Times, by letters of October 13, 2014, appointed each of them as Copy Editors with a monthly total remuneration of N120, 000 each following which they resumed duty on November 17, 2014.

    However, the firm issued them new letters of appointment as ‘Reporters’ on November 27, 2015 but with effect from December 1, 2015, which “entailed a massive downward review of our total monthly remuneration from N120,000 to N40,000.”

    The claimants stated that throughout the subsistence of their employment with the defendant, payment of salary was irregular and haphazard.

    This,  they averred resulted in an accumulated salary debt of N910,000 each, owed them by the defendant consisting of N120,000 unpaid salaries from November 17, 2014 till August 11and 12, 2016, respectively.

    The defendant is yet to file a defence.

  • List of 19 Judges approved by Osinbajo

    List of 19 Judges approved by Osinbajo

    The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday approved the appointment of 19 judges for the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Soji Oye, spokesman of the National Judicial Council (NJC).said Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), would swear them in on Friday.

    According to Oye, Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), would swear them in on Friday.

    Judges
    Judges pose for photograph

    “They will be sworn in by the honourable, the chief justice of Nigeria and chairman, national judicial council, Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON, on Friday, 14th July, 2017, by 3:00pm at the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the statement read.

    THE JUDGES:

    • Targema John Iorngee (Benue)
    • Namtari Mahmood Abba (Adamawa)
    • Nweneka Gerald Ikechi (Rivers)
    • Kado Sanusi (Katsina)
    • Adeniyi Sinmisola Oluyinka (Ogun)
    • Abiola Adunola Adewemimo (Osun)
    • Opeloye Ogunbowale A (Lagos)
    • Essien Isaac Jeremiah (Akwa-Ibom)
    • Elizabeth Ama Oji (Ebonyi)
    • Arowosegbe Olukayode Ojo (Ondo)
    • Ogbuanya Nelson S. Chukwudi (Enugu)
    • Bashir Zaynab Mohammed (Niger)
    • Galadima Ibrahim Suleiman (Nasarawa)
    • Bassi Paul Ahmed (Borno)
    • Danjidda Salisu Hamisu (Kano)
    • Hamman Idi Polycarp (Taraba)
    • Damulak Kiyersohot Dashe (Plateau)
    • Alkali Bashar Attahiru (Sokoto)
    • Mustapha Tijjani (Jigawa)

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  • Justice Agbadu-fishim arraigned over alleged N4.4m gratification

    Justice Agbadu-fishim arraigned over alleged N4.4m gratification

    Justice James Agbadu-fishim of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, was on Tuesday hauled up before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of an Ikeja High Court over alleged N4.4 million gratification.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Agbadu-fishim for allegedly receiving N4.4million from seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), a lawyer and a law firm from 2013 to 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seven SANs accused of unlawfully enriching the judge are — Felix Fagbohungbe, Paul Usoro, Uche Obi, Muiz Banire, Adeniyi Akintola Gani Adetola Kazeem and Joseph Nwobike.

    The prosecution alleged in the 19-count charge of unlawful enrichment that the judge received funds from a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Enobong Etteh and Alliance Law Firm.

    According to the EFCC, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) deposited N200,000 on Dec. 5, 2013, N700,000 between May 10 and Dec. 19, 2014, N250,000 on Feb. 26, 2015 and N250,000 also on Feb. 26, 205 into the First Bank Account with no. 3008199491 belonging to Agbadu-fishim.

    The anti-graft agency alleges, that Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) between Aug. 5 and Dec. 12, 2015 deposited N300,000, between March 25 and March 26, deposited N400,000 and N100,000 into the First Bank Account of the judge with no. 3008199491.

    The law firm of Gani Adetola Kazeem (SAN), paid N100,000 on Feb. 10, 2015 and Mr Uche Obi (SAN) between Oct. 17 and Oct. 20, 2013 paid N200,000, Alliance Law Firm deposited N250,000 into the First Bank Account of the judge with number- 3008199491.

    A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Enobong Etteh, paid the sum of N200,000 on two occasions into the First Bank Account of the judge with number – 3008199491 on Oct. 27, 2014.

    The EFCC told the court that Mr Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), deposited N200,000 on July 12, 2014, N100,000 on Feb. 10, 2014, N100,000 on Feb. 26, 2015 and also N100,000 on Feb. 26, 2015 into the First Bank Account of the judge with number – 2006900216.

    The EFCC claimed that Agbadu-fishim received N150,000 on Dec. 12, 2014 and N100,000 on Sep. 10, 2015 from Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) into his First Bank Account with number – 2006900216.

    Agbadu-fishim, however, denied the 19-count charge.

    After the judge’s plea was taken, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC requested for a trial date.

    Prof. A. Amuda (SAN), counsel to Agbadu-fishim, asked the court to grant the judge bail.

    “I will ask My Lord for your leave to apply for the bail of the defendant.

    “Pursuant to the case of Abiola VFRB, we are saying this with all sense of respect the defendant being a judge of the National Industrial Court was just served yesterday at 5pm with this charge.

    “It was at this time that he got the charge that I couldn’t get a flight to Lagos from Port – Harcourt and I had to travel overnight to Lagos to represent my client.

    “I pray that the court grants bail to the defendant on self recognisance, he is a judge of the National Industrial Court and he has started sitting.

    “My Lord we pleas that your Lordship grants the defendant bail.”

    Responding, Oyedepo told the court that he would not be opposing the bail of the judge.

    “I leave the issue of bail to the discretion of your Lordship, I ask that your Lordship secure the bail terms that will ensure the attendance in court of the defendant,” he said.

    In her ruling, Justice Raliatu Adebiyi said: “In Abacha V State, the main function of the nail is to ensure the attendance of the defendant.

    “In considering bail, the court must consider the nature of the offence charged.

    “No facts have been placed before the court to indicate that the defendant will skip bail.

    “The court hereby grants the defendant bail on self recognisance, he is to deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court,” she said.

    Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case until Oct. 11, Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 for trial.

    NAN recalls that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had on June 2 recalled Agbadu-fishim and five other judges from suspension.

    A total of eight judges were suspended in November 2016 following a raid on their homes by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    They include, Agbadu-fishim of the NIC, John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, Uwani Aji of the Court of Appeal and Hydiazira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court.

    Others are Musa H. Kurya of the Federal High Court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court and Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court.

    All the judges except Ngwuta and Ofili-Ajumogobia who are both currently facing corruption trial were recalled by the NJC.

    The NJC had said that the reason for their recall was the huge backlog of cases in their courts.

    The judicial body noted that only Ademola, Ngwuta and Ofili-Ajumogobia had been charged to court, emphasising that Ademola had been discharged and acquitted of the charges filed against him. (NAN)
    MAE/ENN/DA

  • Man impregnates housemaid, strangles pregnant wife

    Man impregnates housemaid, strangles pregnant wife

    The Plateau Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a 40-year-old man, Victor Dashit, who allegedly strangled his eight months pregnant wife, Irene.

    “Victor is in our custody and investigation is ongoing. W shall soon take him to court,” its spokesman, Terna Tyopev, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

    He said that Dashit, a staff of the National Industrial Court, Jos  who resides at New Abuja area of Jos, killed the wife, a 33-year-old teacher, at their farm in Kangang, on June 2.

    NAN investigation revealed that Dashit, after killing the woman, invited his brother to help him to convey her to hospital after lying that she slumped few minutes after she complained of feeling dizzy.

    A family source said that prior to the incident, the couple had faced lots of problems leading to persistent domestic violence.

    He said that the situation got worse in May 2016, when the deceased caught her husband in bed with their house help, one Nora, in their home.

    “The woman woke up one night sometime in May 2016 and did not see her husband on the bed. After combing the entire house, she peeped into the house help’s room and found her husband on her,” the source said.

    He said that Irene sent the girl out of the house, but the girl came back two months later and told the husband that she was pregnant.

    “Nora’s pregnancy aggravated the problems in their marriage; at a point, Irene fled to her parents’ house in Gindiri, but was persuaded to return to her husband’s house by their Pastor.

    “The Pastor persuaded her to return in November 2016, after intervening in the quarrel. She became pregnant immediately.

    She said that Irene had two daughters, while the baby, a male, removed from her womb after she died, did not survive.

    A source at the Air Force Military Hospital, Jos where Irene’s corpse was taken, said that the Dashit who brought the wife on June 2, had claimed that she slumped and died after complaining of dizziness.

    “The doctors confirmed her dead on arrival, but rushed her to the theatre for an emergency CS in a bid to save her unborn baby but brought out a dead child,” the source said.

    Further investigation by the medics, however revealed marks on her neck, which suggested that she was strangled.

    “The doctors quickly reported the matter at the Anglo Jos police station where Dashit owned up to strangling his wife,” he said.

    Tyopev, while describing the incident as “unfortunate”, blamed the development on alleged infidelity, saying that Dashit had equally confessed to impregnating his housemaid.

    “He confessed to holding the woman by the neck, but said he did not intend to kill her,” he said.

  • Immigration recalls dismissed officer

    Immigration recalls dismissed officer

     

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Wednesday, submitted a Memorandum of Settlement to the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on agreement reached to reinstate Mr Sule Abdul, dismissed in 2015.
    Counsel to the NIS, Mr Usman Awachi, told the court that it had reached this agreement with the claimant, and would like the court to adopt same as judgment.
    It would be recalled that Abdul, an Immigration Assistant, dragged his employer to court, contesting his illegal dismissal over alleged misconduct in 2015.
    Both parties, however, had urged the court to grant them leave to explore settlement in the matter.
    Counsel to the claimant, Mr Iheanyichukwu Maraizu, confirmed the settlement and urged the court to enter it as judgment.
    The judge, Justice Ebeye Isele, adopted the Memorandum of Settlement as judgment and entered it accordingly.

  • Court to hear sacked Dangote workers’ suit July 5

    Court to hear sacked Dangote workers’ suit July 5

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has fixed July 5, for hearing of a suit filed by Mohammed Aliyu and 21 other disengaged workers’ of Dangote Cement Transport Ltd.

    The aggrieved workers, who were mechanics at the Obajana branch of the company, took the company to court over alleged unlawful dismissal.

    The workers were allegedly dismissed from the company on Sept.6,2015 over an alleged restructuring.

    The workers prayed the court to set aside the dismissal as improper and unlawful.

    The disengaged workers also prayed the court to order the respondent, to pay their entitlements and other benefits.

    The claimants also prayed the court to prevail on the respondent to pay them damages for the alleged unlawful dismissal.

    The judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, fixed the date to enable one of the claimants’ witnesses testify.

    Earlier, two of the witnesses, Christopher Okamson, and Mohammed Aliyu, had told the court to use their statements on oath as evidence.
    The claimants were represented in court by their counsel, Mr C. Amodu, while the respondent was represented by Mr Noah Abdul.

  • Unpaid pension: Court fixes May 16 for judgment

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, will on May 16 deliver judgment in a case instituted by a retiree, Mr Kolawole Gbeleyi, against the Federal Civil Service Commission, seeking payment of his pension and other entitlements.

    Gbeleyi, who retired from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Oct.27, 2010, sued the Federal Civil Service Commission over his alleged unpaid pension and promotion entitlement.

    The claimant wants the court to order the Civil Service Commission to pay him his pension benefits as well as his promotion entitlement as a Grade Level 14 officer.

    Earlier, the claimant’s counsel, Mr Philip Ekpo, had urged the court to declare that the payment of the claimant’s entitlement should include that of his promotion to level 14.

    According to Ekpo, a Federal High Court judgment in 2001, had held that the claimant was entitled to “all his entitlements.”

    He argued that all entitlements should include his client’s promotion entitlement as well.

    “My lord, it is the contention of the applicant, that `all other entitlements’ in the judgment of the Federal High Court includes entitlement for his promotion to level 14,” he said.

    Opposing the application, counsel to the respondent, Mr Isah Alidu, urged the court to dismiss the claimant’s suit, saying that the claimant did not ask for promotion entitlement in the High Court suit.

    The judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, fixed May 16 for judgment after hearing the submissions of parties in the suit

  • Court adjourns case of 22 disengaged Dangote Cement workers till April 26

    The National Industrial Court, on Monday adjourned the case of Mohammed Aliyu and 21 other disengaged workers of Dangote Cement Transport Ltd.Obajana, till April 26.

    The aggrieved workers who were mechanics in the company, had taken the company to court over alleged unlawful dismissal.

    The workers were allegedly dismissed from the company on Sept. 6, 2015 over an alleged restructuring.

    The Presiding Judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, said the adjournment was to enable the respondent’s Counsel, Mr Noah Abdul file his client’s statement of defense and other processes.

    The claimants prayed the court to order the respondent to pay their entitlements and other benefits accruable to them.

    The aggrieved workers also prayed the court to prevail on the respondent to pay them damages for the alleged unlawful dismissal.