Disengaged CBN Staff Take Apex Bank to Court, Demand Staggering N30 BILLION in Compensation for “Unfair” Sack!

By Emmanuel Kwada

A group of former staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who were laid off in a mass redundancy last year, have taken the apex bank to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja. The ex-CBN staff members, led by Stephen Gana and 32 others, are seeking a court ruling that their dismissals are null and void, and are demanding N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal.

The claimants argue that the termination process, carried out through letters titled “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” dated April 5, 2024, violated both the CBN human resources policies and procedures manual and Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution. They also contend that the process lacked the necessary consultation and fair hearing mandated by law, and that the termination letters were arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.

The suit references Article 16.4.1 of the HRPPM, which mandates consultation with the joint consultative council and adherence to fair procedures before employment actions adversely affect staff

The suit references Article 16.4.1 of the HRPPM, which mandates consultation with the joint consultative council and adherence to fair procedures before employment actions adversely affect staff. The claimants contend that this provision was flagrantly disregarded, as they were given just three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.

The court has urged the parties involved to attempt an amicable resolution of the matter, with Justice O. A. Osaghae noting that the parties should attempt a settlement pursuant to section 20 of the NICA 2006. The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objection.

The CBN had terminated the appointments of about a thousand staff in four batches between March and May of last year, with some laid-off staff claiming they received severance payments as low as N5,000, while others said their gratuities were absorbed entirely to offset outstanding loans. The affected staff argue that the process violated the CBN Act, which mandates board approval for significant employment decisions.

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