Mohammed Shosanya
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has cleared Ecobank Nigeria of any wrongdoing in the dismissal of 167 staff members in 2023.
The decision was reached following an investigation into a petition filed by the affected employees.
The committee,chaired by Hon. Mike Etaba, who represents the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency of Cross River State, dismissed the petition as lacking merit.
He commended the bank’s management for its compassionate approach toward the dismissed employees.
In a statement issued by Mr. Chooks Oko, Head of Media for the Public Petitions Committee, the petitioners alleged that Ecobank failed to honor statutory entitlements and referenced a purported agreement between the bank and a workers’ union that promised additional benefits.
But,the bank’s representative, Mr. Kenneth Okere,faulted these claims during a hearing on Wednesday.
He clarified that the alleged agreement was a one-time document created for a specific context and did not apply to the 167 dismissed employees. He presented portions of the agreement that clearly outlined its limited scope and duration to substantiate his argument.
According to him, Ecobank had not only met its statutory obligations but also gone above and beyond to support the affected employees.
According to Okere, the bank provided:one year’s medical insurance coverage,one month’s salary in lieu of notice,four months’ salary as severance pay,and gratuities.
Besides,Ecobank deposited 10% of each employee’s basic salary, housing allowance, and transport allowance into their respective Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with individual pension administrators.
“These efforts underscore my client’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of our former colleagues,” Okere stated during the hearing.
Questioned by Hon. Etaba about whether they had received these benefits, the petitioners admitted they had.
The chairman dismissed the petition, describing it as baseless and predicated on a faulty document.
He said:“The petition is hereby dismissed for lack of merit.This is the people’s house. We are here to ensure that no Nigerian suffers injustice, whether as a petitioner or a respondent.
He commended Ecobank for its exemplary conduct, describing the bank’s efforts as commendable and setting a standard for corporate responsibility.