ABU appeals Court’s order to pay N2.6 bn to 110 illegally disengaged staff
NAN-H-7
Appeal
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said on Tuesday it had appealed against an order of the National Industrial Court to reinstate 110 disengaged staff and pay them over N2.6 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the court gave the order in a judgement delivered on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 in Abuja.
The institution’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr Nasiru Bello, said that the industrial court’s judgment was full of errors and that the university had filed an appeal challenging the order.
“It is surprising that the court had ruled to accept the case which had been concluded with a sound judgment against the claimants; this is absolutely an error in law.
“Until when the Court of Appeal passes judgment on our appeal, ABU would decide what to do.
“It is a legal matter, as such one cannot be certain on any action at the moment.
“We have all the evidences to prove that the action of the university was in the right direction and we shall not accept wrong judgment on whatever ground,” he told NAN in Zaria.
Also reacting to the judgement, the Chairman of the local branch of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Dr El-Mustafa Liman said: “ASUU is yet take any decision on the issue.
“Though the matter has affected some of our members, but it is left for the university management to respond to the court order. We are still studying the case.”
Similarly, the branch Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Malam Salihu Musa said: “It is a legal issue, and I think it is a right of every staff to pursue his right in accordance with the law.
“Equally, the employer has right to make case on any matter it deems necessary.
“So, appeal on the case is not an offence, but amicable resolution is the best thing in any labour conflict.
“As far as SSANNU is concerned, we are supporting our members who went to court to seek for justice.”
One of the disengaged staff, Malam Ibrahim Usman urged the university to sympathise with their condition.
“We have lost almost everything to get justice. The management would loose nothing by re-instating and paying us our entitlements,” he said.
He described the decision of the university to appeal the judgment as a delay tactic aimed at frustrating the efforts of the affected workers.
According to him, the affected workers will hold a peaceful rally in Zaria to express displeasure over the action of the university. (NAN)
KLM/EMO/MZA
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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Maharazu Ahmed