Ex-CBN Workers File Lawsuit Over Alleged Unlawful Dismissal, Seek N30bn Damages
A group of 33 former staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken legal action against the apex bank over their termination last year. The former employees, who were laid off as part of a large-scale restructuring in 2024, filed an originating summons before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja, raising concerns over violations of their constitutional and contractual rights.
In the suit filed on July 4, 2024, the claimants argue that the CBN’s actions violated their right to a fair hearing and breached the bank’s internal policies, Nigerian labour laws, and employment contract terms. They claim that the termination process, issued under the guise of “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” on April 5, 2024, lacked the required consultations and fair procedures outlined in the CBN’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM), as well as Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The former employees, which include notable claimants such as Stephen Gana, Kabiru Idris, and Benedict Agbo, assert that they were unfairly dismissed without due process. They are seeking a court order to declare their dismissals null and void and have requested their immediate reinstatement, along with payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.
In addition to reinstatement, the claimants are demanding N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress and reputational harm, alongside N500 million to cover legal costs.
During the case’s first mention on November 20, 2024, Justice O. A. Osaghae of the National Industrial Court encouraged both parties to explore an amicable resolution, citing Section 20 of the NICA 2006. However, the CBN’s legal team, led by Inam Wilson (SAN), filed a preliminary objection to the suit, with the next hearing scheduled for January 29, 2025.
The mass layoff, which affected about 1,000 CBN staff between March and May 2024, was officially attributed to “reorganisation and human capital restructuring.” Some affected workers alleged they received severance payments as low as N5,000, while others reported that their gratuities were absorbed to pay off outstanding loans. The employees argue that these actions violated the CBN Act, which mandates board approval for significant employment decisions.
While the CBN has maintained that the layoffs were voluntary and non-punitive, the claimants remain determined to seek justice, asserting that the process was illegal and damaging.
