Former employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who were dismissed in a large-scale retrenchment in 2024, have taken legal action to seek justice and demand fair compensation.
The sacked staff, challenging what they describe as violations of internal policies, Nigerian labour laws, and their contractual rights, have filed a class-action lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
Represented by Stephen Gana and 32 others, the claimants are seeking judicial redress for their abrupt termination.
The terminations, issued in letters dated April 5, 2024, cited “reorganisational and human capital restructuring” as the reason for dismissal. However, the claimants argue that this process violated Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and the CBN Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, particularly as it lacked the necessary consultations and fair hearing as stipulated by law.
The originating summons, filed on July 4, 2024, presents key issues for the court, including whether the employees were deprived of their constitutional right to a fair hearing before and after their dismissals.
They contend that the termination letters were arbitrary, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
The former CBN workers are requesting the court to declare their terminations null and void, asserting that they remain employed by the bank.
They are demanding reinstatement, back pay for salaries and benefits from the date of termination, and a court order to prevent any further dismissals without proper due process.
Additionally, the claimants are seeking N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and damage to their reputations, as well as N500 million for legal costs. They argue that, due to their status under public service rules, their dismissals should have adhered to stricter conditions than those applied to regular employees.
The case was first heard on November 20, 2024, when Justice O.A. Obaseki Osaghae encouraged both parties to explore an amicable resolution under Section 20 of the National Industrial Court Act 2006.
The hearing was adjourned to January 29, 2025, to review the progress of settlement talks or hear a preliminary objection.
