Industrial Court Reinstates Odah as NLC Secretary

The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to recall and reinstate its sacked General Secretary, Comrade John Ejoha Odah, not later than January 31 with his full rights, benefits and privileges pertaining to the said office from June, 2011.

The claimant, Odah, had on November 1, 2011 dragged the NLC, its president. Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, and two others before the court to challenge the termination of his employment and seek his reinstatement with full benefits.

The President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who presided over the matter had urged the parties to settle the matter amicably.

The parties later came with terms of settlement which the court adopted as its judgment in the suit.

The terms of settlement jointly signed by all the parties stated  that Odah would be deemed to have maintained unbroken record of service with the NLC since his employment in 1987 until his ultimate disengagement and that at his resumption of office, he should be given befitting welcome by the congress with wide publicity.

The terms of settlement further stated that Odah will on the same day of resumption of office as General Secretary of NLC deliver his three months notice of voluntary retirement from service and on the same day proceed or deemed to have proceeded on retirement leave.

It also stated that the salaries and emolument as well as terminal benefits of the claimant with effect from June 2011 and up to and including the last day of his pre-retirement notice which shall be deemed to be his last day in office as General Secretary shall be paid and that the NLC shall arrange a befitting and widely publicised send forth party for the claimant in appreciation of his services to the congress.

Also the claimant is to upon tendering of his three months notice of voluntary retirement on the day of resumption as the General Secretary hand over the affairs of the office and any property of the congress in his custody to any person designated or approved by the congress.

The parties also agreed in the terms of settlement that February 1, 2013 shall be fixed for the performance of the act.