Iyunade Grace
The Appeal Court has dismissed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)’s bid to stop the payment of ₦2.5 billion to 110 workers who were unlawfully sacked in 1996. The court ruled that the workers are entitled to the payment, which has been held by the CBN since 2018, and awarded an additional ₦10 million in costs against the CBN and ABU.
The court criticized the CBN for wasting public funds on litigation and prolonging the workers’ hardship. Justice Okon Abang, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that the CBN’s actions were “reckless and reprehensible” and that the bank should implement the court judgment instead of playing the role of an advocate.
The workers were initially dismissed in 1996, but the National Industrial Court ruled in their favor in 2022, ordering their reinstatement and payment of outstanding salaries and allowances. The CBN and ABU had appealed the decision, but the Appeal Court upheld the ruling, stating that the workers deserved the fruits of their labor.
The Appeal Court’s decision brings an end to a long-standing dispute between the workers and the CBN and ABU. The workers had been fighting for justice for over two decades, and the court’s ruling is a significant victory for them.
The ₦2.5 billion payment is part of the workers’ outstanding salaries and allowances, which had been withheld by the CBN since 2018. The CBN had argued that the payment would burden the bank’s finances, but the court rejected this argument, stating that the workers’ rights should not be compromised.
The court’s decision highlights the importance of respecting workers’ rights and the rule of law. The CBN and ABU’s decision to appeal the National Industrial Court’s ruling was seen as an attempt to delay the payment, but the Appeal Court’s decision has put an end to this tactic.
The workers’ lawyer, A. G. Sani, welcomed the court’s decision, stating that it was a victory for justice and the rule of law. He urged the CBN and ABU to comply with the court’s ruling and pay the workers their entitlements.
The CBN and ABU have been ordered to pay the workers the ₦2.5 billion, plus the additional ₦10 million in costs. The court’s decision is a significant milestone in the workers’ fight for justice, and it sets a precedent for other workers who may be facing similar challenges.
