September 10, (THEWILL) – The National Industrial Court (NIC), Port Harcourt Division, has declared the dismissal of Dr Williams Abomaye-Nimenibo from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as wrongful and illegal.
Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo, an Assistant Administrative Supervisor with over 30 years in service of NNPC, had in a suit marked NICN/PHC/149/2018, claimed his dismissal was unjust, malicious, and without due process.
In its defence, the NNPC argued that Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo was dismissed for gross negligence, alleging that his actions led to significant financial losses for the corporation. The corporation’s counsel insisted that the dismissal was consistent with the provisions of the CPPG, citing a letter dated February 15, 2018.
Delivering ruling in a suit, the court held that Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo’s dismissal was not only wrongful but also contrary to the recommendations of an NNPC Ad-Hoc Committee.
Justice Faustina Kola-Olalere ordered the NNPC to pay Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo N24.6 million in unpaid salaries for his suspension period, N600 million in exemplary damages, and N5 million for the cost of legal fees, all to be paid within two months.
The court noted that while the committee advised termination, the NNPC instead opted for dismissal, which was in breach of the NNPC Corporate Policy and Procedure Guide (CPPG) under which Dr Williams was employed.
The court also noted that Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo was entitled to his full salary for his first suspension from January 23, 2015, to May 9, 2016, and half of his salary during his second suspension from May 10, 2016, until his wrongful dismissal in February 2018.
“The claimant had served meritoriously since his employment in August 1991. For him to be dismissed without just cause, especially after years of promotions and commendations, is both outrageous and unjustifiable”, the court held.
The court ordered the NNPC to pay Dr Abomaye-Nimenibo his terminal benefits as agreed in his employment contract, stating that his dismissal was a reckless act by the corporation.
