Disengaged staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, who were laid off in a mass sack last year, have taken the apex bank before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
In a 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 things, 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 claimed that the termination process lacked the mandatory consultation and fair hearing required by law.
They called the termination letters, given under the premise of restructuring, capricious, illegal, and unconstitutional.
On these grounds, the former employees requested an order declaring their dismissal null and void.
They also sought a restraining order to prevent the CBN from terminating their job without following correct procedure.
Additionally, the claims asked an immediate reinstatement of their positions, including payment of salary and benefits from the date of termination.
They referenced Article 16.4.1 of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM), which requires engagement with the Joint Consultative Council and adherence to fair procedures prior to adopting employment measures that negatively impact employees.
According to the claims, the CBN flagrantly violated this clause by giving them only three days to resign their jobs and hand over official property.
The group is also seeking N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal, as well as an additional N500 million to cover litigation costs.
On November 20, 2024, the presiding judge, Justice O. A. Osaghae, urged both parties to reach an amicable resolution.
“This is a new matter, mentioned for the first time. I have reviewed the processes and believe that the parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute. Consequently, parties are encouraged, pursuant to Section 20 of the NICA 2006, to seek an amicable settlement,” Justice Osaghae said.
The CBN, backed by a legal team led by Inam Wilson (SAN), submitted a preliminary objection to the claimants’ lawsuit on November 4, 2024.
The CBN’s counsel further stated that they were recently served with the claimants’ answer to the objection. Following the defendant’s counsel’s arguments, Justice Osaghae delayed the case until January 29, 2025, for a hearing on the preliminary objection.
It should be noted that in 2024, the central bank terminated the appointments of approximately 1,000 employees in four batches between March and May.
Some impacted employees claimed they received severance money as low as N5,000, while others claimed their gratuities were completely deducted to cover outstanding loans.
Although the layoff was officially attributed to “reorganisation and human capital restructuring,” the impacted employees claimed that it breached the CBN Act, which requires board consent for major personnel decisions.
On December 4, 2024, the apex bank said that the early exit package was completely voluntary and had no negative consequences for eligible employees.
