The Court of Appeal in Abuja has warned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of heavy sanctions if it continues delaying the release of N2.5 billion in judgment debt owed to 110 former Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria staff unlawfully sacked in 1996.
In two unanimous rulings on Friday by separate three-member panels, the court dismissed appeals by both the CBN and ABU against a garnishee order from the National Industrial Court.
It ordered the immediate release of the funds held in ABU's accounts at the CBN since around 2018, to the affected workers.Justice Okon Abang, delivering the lead judgment in one case, criticized the CBN for "holding brief for judgment debtors" and stated that any further non-compliance would trigger disciplinary action against the bank's principal officers.
The court also awarded N5 million in costs against the CBN and another N5 million against ABU, both payable to the workers.The dispute traces back to 1996, when ABU's then-sole administrator terminated the 110 staff.
After prolonged litigation, the National Industrial Court in 2015 declared the sackings unlawful, ordered reinstatement, and mandated payment of entitlements (later quantified at over N2.5 billion with interest).
A 2022 garnishee order absolute directed the CBN to release the sum from ABU's lodged funds.The appeals by ABU and the CBN were attempts to block enforcement, but Friday's decisions affirmed the lower court's orders in full.
The ruling is seen as a win for labor rights and a rebuke against institutions defying court judgments for decades.
The 110 workers, represented by Joseph Ekundayo, welcomed the outcome as "long-overdue justice" after nearly 30 years.
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