Former employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who were laid off in a large-scale termination last year, have filed a lawsuit against the bank at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
In a summons filed on July 4, 2024, and obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the 33 claimants raised several key issues, seeking the court’s intervention.
They accused the CBN of violating their constitutional right to a fair hearing both before and after their dismissals. They also claimed that the bank breached internal policies, Nigerian labor laws, and their contractual rights during the termination process.
The claimants include Stephen Gana, Kabiru Idris, Benedict Agbo, Peter Adeyemi, John Yisa, Eleanor Ihua, and others, and they are represented by Okwudili Abanum in a class-action lawsuit. The former employees argue that the mass termination, communicated through letters titled “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” on April 5, 2024, violated the CBN’s human resources policies and procedures, as well as Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The claimants assert that the dismissal process failed to include the mandatory consultation and fair hearing required by law. They have described the termination letters, issued under the pretext of restructuring, as arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.
As part of their legal demands, the former workers are seeking a court order to declare their dismissals null and void. They also seek a restraining order to prevent the CBN from terminating their employment without following proper procedures and request their immediate reinstatement, along with payment of salaries and benefits from the date of their dismissal.
Citing Article 16.4.1 of the CBN Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM), which requires consultation with the Joint Consultative Council before implementing actions that negatively affect staff, the claimants argue that the bank’s actions were in direct violation of this provision. They were reportedly given just three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.
In addition to reinstatement, the claimants are demanding N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational damage caused by the termination. They are also seeking N500 million to cover the cost of the lawsuit.
At the first hearing on November 20, 2024, the presiding judge, Justice O. A. Osaghae, urged both parties to seek an amicable resolution. “This is a new matter, mentioned for the first time. I have reviewed the processes and believe that the parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute,” Justice Osaghae said, encouraging settlement under Section 20 of the NICA 2006.
The CBN, represented by a legal team led by Inam Wilson (SAN), filed a preliminary objection to the suit on November 4, 2024. The court was informed that the claimants had recently responded to the objection.
Justice Osaghae adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for a hearing on the preliminary objection.
In 2024, the CBN laid off approximately 1,000 employees in four batches between March and May. Some of those affected claimed they received severance payments as low as N5,000, while others said their gratuities were used to offset outstanding loans. While the layoffs were officially attributed to “reorganisation and human capital restructuring,” many employees argue that the process breached the CBN Act, which requires board approval for significant employment decisions.
On December 4, 2024, the CBN maintained that the early exit package was entirely voluntary, with no adverse consequences for eligible staff.
