The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay ₦620,000 as costs for causing a delay in the hearing of cases filed by 62 former employees challenging their disengagement from the bank.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae issued the ruling on Thursday after the claimants’ counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court that the CBN had disrupted proceedings by filing a fresh motion late, forcing the matter to be adjourned.
The ex-employees argue that their termination, conveyed in letters dated May 23, 2024 and tagged “Re-Organisation,” breached both the CBN Act 2007 and the bank’s internal human resources guidelines.
They are seeking reinstatement, outstanding salaries and entitlements, and a complete reversal of the termination exercise.
During the session, Olanipekun explained that the CBN filed a motion on November 26 requesting that the case be converted from an originating summons to a writ of summons, claiming the issues involved required oral evidence.
He said the motion was served on the claimants only that morning, describing it as a tactic intended to stall the matter.
He requested ₦10,000 per claimant, a total of ₦620,000, as costs.
CBN’s counsel, Wilson Inam (SAN), apologised for the late filing and service of the motion, explaining that the application had been prepared and filed the previous day.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae agreed that the motion had disrupted the scheduled hearing.
“Cost follows event. Cost is hereby awarded in the sum of ₦620,000, to be paid before the next adjourned date,” she ruled.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 12, 2026, for hearing of pending applications.
The court also recalled that in December 2024, NICN President, Justice Benedict Kanyip, withdrew from hearing all 62 related cases after disclosing a conflict of interest.
One of the CBN’s lawyers, Damian Dodo (SAN), is his in-law, prompting him to step aside to ensure fairness.
Lawyers on both sides affirmed confidence in the court’s integrity during the proceedings.
Claimants’ counsel, Olanipekun, reiterated the trust of the former employees in the judicial process, while Obafemi Agaba, representing the CBN, noted that justice must be delivered transparently.
Following Justice Kanyip’s recusal, all 62 suits were reassigned to another judge, and the reassignment process is currently ongoing.
