The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has commenced hearing a fresh suit filed by sacked workers from Plateau State’s tertiary institutions, challenging what they described as the unlawful termination of their appointments by the current administration.
Speaking to Newsmen shortly after the court session, counsel to the claimants, Barr. Nantok Dashuwar, explained that the case stems from the mass employment exercise carried out by the immediate past administration led by former Governor Simon Bako Lalong in 2022.
According to him, the present administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang terminated those appointments shortly after assuming office, prompting the affected workers to approach the court for redress.
Dashuwar recalled that the court had earlier ruled in favor of the employees in a previous suit, declaring their initial sack illegal and ordering their reinstatement. However, just a few days after their reinstatement, the affected institutions once again dismissed them.
He said this second termination prompted the fresh legal action now before the court. “We are saying that the termination is unlawful, it is illegal, and it is invalid,” he stated, emphasizing that the institutions failed to follow the procedures required by law.
The lawyer revealed that the current matter, which involves the Plateau State Polytechnic and the College of Education, Gindiri, came up for mention for the first time today and has been adjourned to December 9, 2025, for hearing.
Dashuwar described the development as another opportunity for justice to prevail, expressing confidence that the court would uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of the affected employees.
He further noted that the recurring terminations have inflicted hardship on the workers, many of whom have families depending on them. He maintained that the issue was not just about employment but about fairness, legality, and the sanctity of court judgments.
The case, presided over by Hon. Justice S.I. Galadima, is expected to determine the legality of the dismissals and whether the institutions acted within the limits of the law.
The affected workers, who have continued to express faith in the judiciary, say they are optimistic that the forthcoming hearing will bring closure and justice after months of uncertainty.
