The College of Education Gindiri in Plateau State is facing serious criticism for issuing fresh disengagement letters to staff recently reinstated by court order. The institution has been accused of deliberately violating the judgment of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the reinstatement of the affected workers.
A legal notice dated 13th June 2025, signed by Barr. Nantok Dashuwar on behalf of the disengaged staff, warned the Governing Council of the institution to immediately withdraw the new disengagement letters or face further legal action.
“We have been briefed and our services retained by all the staff and employees of the College of Education Gindiri who were reinstated by the directive of the National Industrial Court, Jos Division and subsequently disengaged by the governing council of the institution via various letters dated 4th June, 2025 issued to each of them. We shall hereinafter refer to them as ‘Our Clients’.”
According to the lawyer, all the affected staff were employed in 2022 and 2023 but were dismissed following the assumption of office by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. The sack was challenged in court and overturned in October 2024, yet the institution failed to comply for five months.
“The institution refused and failed to obey the Court Order for over Five (5) months. The disobedience led to an initiation of contempt proceedings.”
“The institution did this only to turn around and issue illegal and unlawful letters of disengagement to Our Clients at the instance of the Governing Council.”
The legal notice described the institution’s action as a direct affront to both national and international labour laws. It said the fresh disengagements appear to be acts of vendetta.
“By the letters of disengagement, the Council has violated all known national and international labour laws and conventions. It is obvious from the letters of disengagement that the Institution’s actions are driven by malice, vendetta and witch-hunt against Our Clients for daring to challenge their illegal sack.”
Barr. Dashuwar also issued a stern warning that his clients will return to court if the letters are not withdrawn within 30 days of service of the notice.
“Flowing from the above, if no steps are taken to remedy the injustice and unlawful disengagement of Our Clients from service, we shall institute legal action upon the expiration of thirty (30) days after the service of this letter on you.”
The lawyer stressed that the governing council must act wisely and uphold the rule of law to avoid another round of avoidable litigation.
He further alleged that the institution only reinstated the staff days before contempt proceedings began, and then re-sacked them immediately after, in what he described as a “pretence of obedience.”
The affected workers say they are being punished for lawfully challenging their earlier dismissal and are calling on the public and relevant authorities to intervene.
The matter continues to generate public interest as observers await the next move from the Plateau State Government and the College’s Governing Council.
