Thirteen former employees of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) have initiated legal action in the National Industrial Court in Abuja, contesting their alleged wrongful termination by the commission.
According to a termination notice dated February 27, 2024, and signed by Ephraim Ekpe, Assistant Director of Administration, the dismissals were due to purported “irregularities” in the hiring process. The notice stated that their appointments, which had commenced on October 16, 2023, were being immediately rescinded.
The dismissed staff include Gyang Stephen Monday, Avoseh Taiwo Stephen, Gbile Nder Pascal, Pam Yakubu Chung, Soladoye Temitope Ajiboye, Lekwot Raymond Daniel, Dung Chung Bok, Barnabas Miriam Ali, Nwachukwu Eugene Ikechukwu, Sunday Nyam Bot, Dablet Nnandom Apollos, Pam Yakubu Chadikison, and Ukaiha Joy Oluchi.
Represented by attorney Osuagwu Ugochukwu, the former employees are asking the court to rule that the termination notice does not constitute a valid dismissal, arguing that it does not adhere to the terms of their original appointment. They contend that the term “withdrawal of appointment” is not recognized under Nigerian labor law.
The plaintiffs are also seeking a court ruling to affirm that their employment, as stated in the October 16, 2023, appointment letter, should remain valid until October 3, 2025, due to improper execution of their dismissals.
Additionally, they are requesting N5,000,000 for legal costs and a judicial clarification on whether “withdrawal of appointment” is a legally acceptable form of termination under the Nigerian Labour Act.
