Disengaged staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who were laid off in a mass termination last year, have taken the apex bank before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
In an originating summons filed on July 4, 2024, under the NICN Civil Procedure Rules 2017 and obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the claimants, 33 in number, raised several issues for the court to address.
Among other matters, the former employees asked the court to determine whether their constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated before and after their appointments were terminated.
They also alleged that the CBN breached internal policies, Nigerian labour laws, and their contractual rights.
The claimants include Stephen Gana, Kabiru Idris, Benedict Agbo, Peter Adeyemi, John Yisa, Eleanor Ihua, and others. Represented by Okwudili Abanum in a class action lawsuit, they argued that the termination process, carried out through letters titled “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” dated April 5, 2024, contravened the CBN’s human resources policies and procedures manual as well as Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The claimants further asserted that the termination process lacked the mandatory consultation and fair hearing required by law.
They described the termination letters, issued under the guise of restructuring, as arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.
On these grounds, the former staff members sought an order declaring their dismissal null and void.
They also requested a restraining order to prevent the CBN from terminating their employment without adhering to proper procedures.
Additionally, the claimants demanded an immediate reinstatement of their positions, with payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.
They cited Article 16.4.1 of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM), which mandates consultation with the Joint Consultative Council and adherence to fair procedures before taking employment actions that adversely affect staff.
According to the claimants, the CBN flagrantly disregarded this provision, giving them only three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.
The group is also seeking N30bn in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal, as well as an additional N500m to cover the cost of the suit.