By Nasir Mohammed
The National Industrial Court sitting in Yola has ordered the Upper Benue River Basin Authority, Yola, to immediately reinstate its suspended staff member, Mr. Ahmed A.T. Mohammed.
Mr. Mohammed had been on indefinite suspension since 2023 over allegations that he absconded from his duty post.
Delivering the judgment, Justice J.T. Agbadu Fishim directed the Upper Benue River Basin Authority to pay Mr. Mohammed all his entitlements from the date of suspension to date.
The court was convinced by the medical evidence submitted by Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital Yola and other hospitals, which confirmed that Mr. Mohammed was hospitalized and receiving treatment during the period in question, explaining his absence from duty.
Justice Fishim ruled that the indefinite suspension was null and void under Nigeria’s public service rules as amended by the Constitution. He further directed the authority to pay Mr. Mohammed the sum of two million naira as damages.
Reacting to the judgment, the plaintiff’s counsel, Barr. Kingsley Gabriel, expressed satisfaction with the verdict and commended the court for what he described as a sound and just decision.
He urged government boards and parastatals to always follow due process in handling disciplinary matters in accordance with public service regulations.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Barr. A.I. Yahya, declined to comment when approached by journalists.
It would be recalled that Mr. Ahmed A.T. Mohammed was suspended indefinitely by the Upper Benue River Basin Authority in 2023 without being issued a query or granted a fair hearing.
Sahel Reporters News
