Court Orders NNPC to Pay N629 Million to Staff for Wrongful Dismissal

The National Industrial Court has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to pay N629 million to Dr. Williams, a former employee, over his wrongful dismissal in 2018. The court ruled that NNPC’s decision to terminate Dr. Williams’ employment was unjust and violated labour laws.

Justice Faustina Kola-Olalere of the Port Harcourt Judicial Division presided over the case, ruling that NNPC had failed to follow its own Corporate Policy and Procedure Guide (CPPG) in dismissing Dr. Williams, who had served as an Assistant Administrative Supervisor for over 30 years.

According to Dr. Williams, his dismissal came after he exposed fraudulent activities within the company, leading NNPC to take retaliatory actions against him. His legal counsel, F.K. Amachree, argued that Williams had an unblemished service record, with no prior warnings or queries, making his abrupt dismissal unlawful. They sought N25 billion in damages for breach of contract and wrongful dismissal.

NNPC, however, contended that Dr. Williams was dismissed for gross negligence, which allegedly caused substantial losses to the company. The corporation maintained that the dismissal was in line with its CPPG.

The court found NNPC’s claims unconvincing, noting that the corporation failed to provide sufficient evidence of criminal or gross negligence. Additionally, the court observed that the suspension letters issued to Dr. Williams did not follow proper procedure, as they included suspension without pay, in violation of labour laws.

In her judgment, Justice Kola-Olalere held that Dr. Williams was entitled to his full salary for the first suspension period from January 2015 to May 2016 and half of his salary during the second suspension period until his dismissal in February 2018. The court further noted that NNPC’s CPPG provided for termination, not dismissal, as a method of disengagement.

The court ordered NNPC to pay N24.6 million in unpaid salaries, N600 million in exemplary damages, and N5 million in legal costs, bringing the total compensation to N629 million. Justice Kola-Olalere concluded that NNPC’s actions in dismissing Dr. Williams without just cause were “outrageous and reprehensible.”

This ruling reinforces the National Industrial Court’s role in upholding workers’ rights and ensuring that employers adhere to fair labour practices.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, established in 1976, handles disputes related to trade, labour, and employment matters across the country.