Prominent legal practitioner, Barr. Nantok Dashuwar, has strongly criticized the Plateau State Government for the re-sacking of workers from various tertiary institutions despite a court ruling reinstating them. His remarks follow recent reports that reinstated staff of the College of Education, Gindiri, have once again been dismissed.
Dashuwar noted that he had refrained from speaking publicly on the matter for a long time, but recent developments compelled him to voice his opinion. “I have now succumbed to my human nature and unable to resist the urge to speak publicly on this issue. This is ignited by the recent re-sacking of the reinstated staff of the College of Education Gindiri which by all estimation is the approach the Government and these institutions have adopted on the issue,” he stated.
He expressed regret over his support for Governor Caleb Mutfwang, saying he now doubts if he made the right choice. He also revealed that his involvement in the case was driven by principle and his desire to help the downtrodden.
“Guided by my principles to avail myself as an instrument for the attainment of justice and be a source of relief to the helpless and downtrodden in society as much as I can, I accepted the brief and prosecuted same without taking a kobo from the sacked workers,” he said.
The lawyer condemned the Governor’s viral video where the affected staff were allegedly referred to as “Dolaye”, a derogatory term. “This I believe is not unconnected to the statement made by the Governor in a viral video referring to these set of staff as DOLAYE. By my best translation FOOLISH or DULL persons,” he stated.
He accused the government of misrepresenting the court’s judgment and failing to understand the legal reasons behind the ruling. “With the greatest respect to the Governor, none of these reasons are tenable whether in law or common sense,” he added.
Dashuwar insisted that the issue of governing councils never came up during the court proceedings and was not part of the judgment. “I am sure if the Governor read any of the judgments, he would certainly not misconstrue same and would not conclude that the Court only found fault due to non-existent council,” he explained.
The lawyer criticized ongoing secret employment practices, stating that while some workers are being dismissed, others are being recruited without due process. He described this as a betrayal of justice and fairness.
Also about the “Doloness” of the people employed, sacked and re sacked, I represent over 600 of them. None of the ones I represent in court is not qualified for the post he / she holds in the institution. If any one has any body whom he know is not qualified and was employed, please call him / her out here or any other forum.
He accused powerful individuals in government of deliberately frustrating the chances of young Plateau citizens to serve in their own state’s institutions. “Flowing from all that I have seen and experienced, there are very wicked and vindictive people at the corridors of power who have sworn never to allow these young Plateau Sons and daughters make a living from the civil service in their state,” he said.
“And to think that almost everyone in the Government puts him or herself out like apostles and Evangelists singing hallelujah at every given opportunity is disheartening. How can such wickedness and vendetta reside in minds of those who call themselves ‘Men of God’,” he lamented.
The lawyer concluded by reaffirming his commitment to continue the legal battle on behalf of the affected workers. “We will return to Court as many times as they remain unemployed. My resolve is as strong as the resolve of the government to keep them out of job,” he said.
“No matter how long this struggle lasts. It will end one day. By God’s grace it will end with the oppressed free. It will end with these young Plateau Men and women back to work. Even if it is after these set of men of God are out of power,” he added.
