Mohammed Shosanya
Thirteen former staff members of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) have filed a lawsuit in the National Industrial Court, Abuja, seeking to overturn wrongful dismissal by the commission’s management.
A termination notice dated February 27, 2024, and signed by Ephraim Ekpe, Assistant Director of Administration, stated that the employees were dismissed due to alleged “irregularities” in their hiring process.
The notice informed them that their appointments, effective from October 16, 2023, were being rescinded immediately.
The dismissed employees 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 staff are seeking the court to declare that the termination letter does not constitute a valid dismissal as it did not comply with the terms of their original appointment.
They argue that the term “withdrawal of appointment” is not recognized under Nigerian law or labor regulations.
They are also requesting the court to confirm that their employment, as outlined in the October 16, 2023, appointment letter, remains valid until October 3, 2025, since their dismissals were not executed correctly.
They are seeking a judgment for N5,000,000 to cover legal costs and clarification on whether the term “withdrawal of appointment” constitutes a valid termination under the Nigerian Labour Act.
