Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employees, laid off in a mass termination last year, have taken the bank to court, claiming their dismissals were unlawful.
The case, filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja, involves 33 claimants who argue that their constitutional, contractual, and labor rights were violated during the termination process. They allege they were denied the right to a fair hearing before and after their appointments were terminated.
The mass termination was carried out through letters titled "Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring," dated 5 April 2024. The claimants argue that these letters violated the CBN’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM) and Section 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. They assert that the termination process lacked due process, necessary consultations, and a fair hearing.
The claimants want immediate reinstatement, a ruling to declare their dismissals null and void, and payment of salaries and benefits from the termination date. They are also seeking N30 billion in damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm, as well as N500 million for legal costs.
In response, the CBN filed a preliminary objection, challenging the suit’s admissibility. The court adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, urging both parties to explore a settlement. The layoffs, affecting 1,000 staff members between March and May 2024, were defended by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, who stated the restructuring aimed at improving efficiency. The House of Representatives has called for an investigation into the legality of the process.
