Obey Court Judgement, Reinstate 28 Sacked Staff – CDHR Writes FedPoly Ede Rector

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Osun State branch, has urged the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr. Man Yahaya Sani, to comply with an order of a National Industrial Court and reinstate some sacked members of staff of the institution.

The 28 sacked members of staff had dragged the institution before the industrial court, sitting in Ibadan, to challenge their dismissal. 

In a letter written to the Rector on behalf of the sacked staff, CHDR said Justice Opeloye Ogunbowale of the court, had on November 23, 2023, in suit No. NICN/OS/04/2018, ruled that the institution unlawfully terminated the appointment of the sacked staff. 

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CDHR, in the letter signed by the Chairman of the organisation, Comr. Emmanuel Olowu, a copy of which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the court noted that the termination of their appointment violated various statutes including the ACT establishing the Defendant, the Defendant’s employee manual, the ILO Convention 158 and recommendation 166, and section 42(1) of the constitution.

It added that the court declared the termination of their appointment null and void, ordering their immediate reinstatement, along with the payment of all entitlements from January 2018 to date.

The human rights group, therefore, urged the Rector to obey the court judgement and reinstate the claimants without delay, maintaining that “It is imperative to note that failure to comply with a court order carries severe legal consequences.

“Therefore, this letter serves as a formal notification of letting you know that failure to comply with the Judgment connotes disobedience to court order which is contempt of court. 

“The Council of the Federal Polytechnic of Ede is legally obligated to comply with the court’s judgment and reinstate the claimants without delay. Any further refusal to adhere to the court’s decision will be met with appropriate legal action.

“The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights is committed to ensuring that the claimants receive justice on this matter and we will not hesitate to pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that the rights of the claimants are being enforced in line with the judgment in the suit NICN/OS/04/2018.

“We urge the Council of the Federal Polytechnic of Ede, to act swiftly and by the law to comply with the judgment within the next Fourteen (14) Days of the receipt of this letter.”

The claimants include; Cornelius Nwokoro, Thomas Aborowa, Lawal Akanni, Okunola Adeagbo, Oseni Waidi, David Adebayo, Moses Ikusika, Shehu Garba, Philip Shiyanbola, Saibu Raji, Isiaka Olasupo, Isiaka Jolaoye, Muideen Opadisi, Sedu Oladapo, Sikiru Kareem.

Others are; Martins Okah, Ezekiel Kuye, Bakare Olagunju, Ileh Agbo, Rasaq Amoo, Festus Olanrewaju, Ayodele Oni, Fatai Adeeyo, John Agbo, Folorunsho Hammed, Adewole Adesina, Olapade David, and Timothy Ajibola.