The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is embroiled in a significant legal challenge as over 100 former employees, recently dismissed under a reorganization led by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, have filed lawsuits against the bank. The plaintiffs are contesting what they describe as the unjust termination of their employment and are seeking the payment of all due entitlements.
The wave of legal actions follows the CBN’s decision on May 24, 2024, to lay off more than 200 staff members through a letter titled “Re-Organisation.”
On Thursday, Mr. Ola Olanipekun, SAN, the lead counsel representing some of the affected staff, disclosed after filing several cases before the National Industrial Court in Abuja that his clients are determined to enforce their rights to a fair hearing as workers.
Olanipekun criticized the CBN’s actions as unlawful, stating that it had inflicted damages on the dismissed staff, with claims running into hundreds of millions. He emphasized, “Our claimants approached the court to enforce their right as workers to a fair hearing over their unjust sack by the CBN.”
He further prayed that the court would mandate the CBN to pay the claimants all their monthly salaries, allowances, and other emoluments and entitlements. Additionally, the claimants are demanding N30 million as the cost of litigation and prosecution of the suits, alongside a 21 percent post-judgment interest per annum on all judgment sums awarded from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
The Originating Summons, dated August 22, 2024, is supported by a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the claimants, outlining the grounds for their case.
