By Bukola Hameed
National Industrial Court, Ibadan has declared
as null and void the sack of a staff of African Newspaper of Nigeria PLC, Publisher of Nigerian Tribune Titles, Mr. Kareem Popoola by the Company .
The presiding Judge, Justice J. D Peters who delivered the judgement on the suit filed by Mr Popoola, former President of Staff Cooperative Society of the company also described the dismissal as abuse of power by the management.
Justice Peters who noted that the company could not give any reason for dismissing the plaintiff as he was not queried for any gross misconduct on duties before sacking him as claimed by the company.
He noted that the only query given to the complainant was the one issued in 2013 on his activities in the staff Cooperative Society which the Court said was not enough to sack him as Cooperative Society is not under the control of the management.
According to the justice, even if there was any foul play in the Cooperative Society, the then president should be queried by the members or Ministry of Trades and Investment, stressing that membership of the cooperative is voluntary.
The court therefore ordered the Company to pay the complainant over Two Million Naira as entitlements with interest of ten percent of the money.
The judge as well ordered the company to also pay the plaintiff over Four Hundred Thousand Naira which is his basic salary for two years as damages.
This is a good judgment. I bet it with you that The Tribune will appeal at the appellate court.