Ogun NLC chairman drags Amosun to court over wrongful dismissal

The Ogun state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Akeem Ambali, on Monday dragged the state government before the National Industrial Court (NIJ) sitting in Lagos for what he termed as wrongful dismissal from the Ogun State public service.

Ambali, who was a deputy director, Social Welfare at Sagamu local government area of the state, was dismissed last November, over accusation of portraying the government in bad light in his address during the 2016 World Teachers Day celebration.

The NLC boss, in a suit No: NICN/LA/41/2017 supported by statement of fact and affidavit, prayed the court to declare his dismissal as illegal and unconstitutional.

The case was instituted against the Local Government Service Commission, Civil Service Commission and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

He also sought an order compelling the defendants to re-instate him and also direct the defendants to pay outstanding salaries and allowances owed him from October 2016 till the determination of the suit.

Ambali told the court that he addressed the audience during the celebration in his capacity as the state chairman of NLC and not an employee of the state government.

He claimed that he spoke on issues of the suspended registered labour unions in TASCE, scrapping of Local Government Joint Accounts and Occasion Committee and outstanding payment of workers’ gratuity since 2012.

Ambali faulted the state government for not granting him fair hearing before his dismissal from service despite a letter of appeal written to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, dated November 25, 2016.

The case was mentioned on Monday before Justice K. I. Amadi of Court 6.

Lead counsel to the claimant, Mr. Femi Falana was represented by Ahmed Gbadamosi while A. O Ajidele, a deputy director, Civil Education, State Ministry of Justice appeared for the defendants.

Ajidele prayed for more time to file court processes in response to the suit.

Having listened to the plea of the counsel to the defendants, Justice Amadi, adjourned the case till June 28 and 29 for hearing.