The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has adjourned a case filed by dismissed staff of Plateau State Owned Tertiary Institutions against His Excellency, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and the state government to May 2nd for hearing.
The plaintiffs, comprising of 36, 55, 99, and 100 staff members, from the four Tertiary Institutions, are challenging their termination which they deemed was done without due process. They are seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the respondents from embarking on the current employment exercise to replace them.
According to their counsel, Barr. Nantok Dashuwar, the originating summon and motion on notice dated April 9, 2024, and March 21, 2024, respectively, have not been served on the tertiary institutions as the 3rd respondent. Dashuwar stated that the staff members were employed between 2002 and 2024, and their appointment was terminated without following the due process of law.
The institutions involved include the College of Education Gindiri, Plateau State Polytechnic, College of Art, Science, and Technology Agriculture Garkawa, College of Health Pankshin, and College of Health Zawan.
Dashuwar explained that the staff members are seeking the court’s interpretation of the laws establishing the institutions and the instruments used in employing and terminating their employment. He stated that the court will examine the reasons for their termination, including press releases and dismissals.
“The adjournment is to allow for the service of the originating summon and motion on notice on the tertiary institutions. The staff members are seeking to prevent the government from conducting interviews for recruitment until their case is determined”.
“The case is a challenge to the power of the governor to terminate the employment of staff members of tertiary institutions, and the court’s decision is eagerly awaited.”
According to Pointblank.com.ng, more than half of the sacked staff who are seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from conducting fresh recruitment into the tertiary institutions however, applied for the same recruitment exercise
