Judge recuses self from suit against CBN as in-law announces appearance for defendant

Benedict Kanyip, the president of the national industrial court of Nigeria, has announced his recusal from suits filed by 62 former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials who were recently disengaged from the apex bank’s service.

Kanyip recused himself from the cases after a lawyer in the team of counsel to the CBN, who announced an appearance, happened to be his in-law.

The 62 ex-staff had filed separate suits against the CBN as the sole defendant.

The claimants submitted that the letter, titled “Re-ORGANISATION,” issued by the CBN terminating their appointment effective May 24, contravened the provisions of the CBN Act 2007.

They argued that the action also contravened the bank’s human resource policies and procedure manual (HRPPM) and therefore was “arbitrary, unlawful, null, and void”.

They sought a declaration that their contract of employment with the CBN subsisted and remained valid and of full effect to date.

They, therefore, sought an order setting aside the purported termination of the claimant’s employment vide letter titled: “REORGANISATION,” dated 23rd May, 2024, for being arbitrary, unlawful, null, and void.”

They also prayed the court for an order directing the CBN “to reinstate them to the positions that they were at the time of the termination letters or other higher positions as they would ordinarily have attained or been promoted in the course of their employment if the same had not been unlawfully terminated”.

They equally sought an order directing the bank to pay them all their monthly salaries, allowances, and other emoluments/entitlements that they would have earned if their employment had not been unlawfully terminated, among other reliefs.

At Tuesday’s court session, 31 of the 62 suits were listed for hearing while the remaining 31 cases were scheduled for Wednesday.

Besides, the claimants’ counsel had also filed a motion to consolidate the cases.

When the first suit was called, Ola Olanipekun announced his appearance alongside other lawyers in his company.

While announcing the appearance for CBN, Obafemi Agaba, a lawyer, said there was a consortium of law firms that will be representing the bank in the case, including the Damian Dodo & Co. law firm.

Kanyip then said Dodo is his in-law.

The judge, who said he was uncomfortable continuing with the matter, said the case would be reassigned to another judge for adjudication.

He also sought the view of counsel to the claimant.