In a landmark ruling that has shaken the financial sector, the Court of Appeal has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reinstate three of its former staff members, ten years after their controversial dismissal. The court declared their termination illegal, stating that the reasons given for their removal were in direct violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act and the bank’s own internal human resources policies.
The three claimants—Akagwu Audi Yakubu, Idris Auwal, and Daciyal Longji David—had their employment with the CBN terminated in 2015 under the ambiguous and dismissive grounds of “service no longer required.” This abrupt dismissal, which left the employees without any explanation, ignited a lengthy legal battle, culminating in the recent Court of Appeal ruling in their favor.
A Decade-Long Fight for Justice
The legal saga began when the trio, dissatisfied with the manner of their dismissal, sought justice by challenging their termination in court. With legal representation from the prominent law firm of Falana & Falana, the former employees filed a suit before the National Industrial Court in 2015, arguing that their dismissal violated both national law and the internal policies of the CBN.
Their claim was simple but significant: the Central Bank’s actions breached the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which stipulates the conditions under which an employee can be dismissed. The claimants also pointed to Paragraph 16.5 of the CBN’s Human Resources Policies, which provides a clear framework for handling employee terminations.
In their suit, the trio requested several key reliefs, including a declaration that their terminations were illegal, an order for their immediate reinstatement, and payment of all accrued salaries and benefits. Additionally, they sought damages, requesting compensation in the sum of N10 million each.
First Court Ruling: A Disappointment for the Claimants
However, in October 2018, the National Industrial Court, under the leadership of Honourable Justice B.A. Adejumo, ruled in favor of the Central Bank, dismissing the employees’ claims. The court’s decision was a setback for the claimants, who were left feeling betrayed by the legal system. At that point, they had already endured over three years of unemployment, which caused significant financial and emotional strain.
“We were not just fighting for our jobs; we were fighting for our dignity,” said one of the claimants, Akagwu Audi Yakubu, in an interview after the 2018 judgment. “Being dismissed without explanation, under the guise of ‘service no longer required,’ was a direct attack on our professional integrity.”
Appeal Court Delivers Groundbreaking Judgment
Not willing to accept defeat, the claimants turned to the Court of Appeal. Their legal team, led by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, filed an appeal, hoping that the higher court would correct what they described as an “injustice” by the lower court.
In a judgment that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s corporate and legal communities, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, overturned the National Industrial Court’s ruling. In a unanimous decision, the appellate court declared the termination of the claimants’ employment as illegal, ruling that the CBN had violated both statutory law and its own policies in the process.
The court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Yakubu, Auwal, and David to their former positions at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Moreover, it mandated that the CBN pay the claimants all their accrued salaries, allowances, and benefits dating back to their wrongful termination. The court also awarded the claimants N1 million in damages, citing the unnecessary legal costs and the emotional toll of the prolonged case.
“This is a monumental victory for fairness and justice,” said Femi Falana, the claimants’ lawyer. “The ruling reaffirms the importance of accountability in corporate institutions, especially those as influential as the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Implications for CBN and Other Corporations
This judgment is not just a win for the three claimants but a stern reminder to corporate entities, particularly large institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, that the rule of law must always be upheld in matters of employment.
Legal experts have praised the decision for its clarity and firm stance against arbitrary dismissals. “The court has made it clear that no organization, no matter how powerful, is above the law,” said Dr. Ngozi Okoro, a legal scholar at the University of Lagos. “For years, employees have suffered unfair treatment, and this ruling is a step toward ensuring that justice is accessible to all, even in cases involving powerful institutions.”
This decision also has broader implications for the way Nigerian banks and corporations handle employee terminations. It sends a strong signal that the days of firing employees under vague pretexts such as “service no longer required” are numbered. Employment practices in Nigeria, particularly in the public sector, may now come under closer scrutiny.
The Fight for Workers’ Rights Continues
The claimants, who had once been left in legal limbo, are now looking ahead with renewed optimism. For them, the ruling is more than just about their jobs; it represents a victory for all workers in Nigeria who face unjust treatment by their employers.
“We are not just fighting for our jobs,” said Idris Auwal, one of the claimants. “We are fighting for a system where no one can be treated like this. This victory is for every Nigerian worker who feels they have been wronged.”
As they prepare to return to their posts at the Central Bank, the three claimants hope that their story will inspire other workers who may feel powerless in the face of unjust employment practices. It is a story of resilience, determination, and the belief that justice, though delayed, can still be achieved.
Next Steps for the Central Bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria has yet to publicly comment on the Court of Appeal’s decision. However, analysts believe that the bank will need to revisit its employment policies and practices to avoid similar legal challenges in the future. “It is clear that the Central Bank must now reassess its approach to employment matters, particularly terminations,” said financial analyst Tunde Bakare. “This case will undoubtedly lead to a review of practices not just within the CBN but across Nigerian corporate institutions.”
