MR. REUBEN AWANYE ITRUMA vs NVRI: THE UNREPORTED STORY OF THE CLAIMANT BEFORE THE COURT AND THE JUDGMENT

By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),

Despite investigations have shown that the unanimous Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Jos Division by Tani Yusuf Hassan (PJCA), Ibrahim Ali Andenyangtso (JCA), and Lasumbo Olarenwaju Goodluck (JCA), affirming the Judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) Jos Judicial Division, that the purported stoppage of Mr. Reuben Awanye Itruma’s (Claimant) salary from October 2007 till date and his subsequent purported dismissal from service of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, pursuant to the Public Service Rules and all the steps leading up to his dismissal are unlawful, null, void and of no effect whatsoever, on 8^th August 2022, the Institute is yet to obey the Orders of the Courts.

Secondly, findings have also shown that the sad reality of the Claimant’s sad and lamentable story has not been reported or told to the general public.

In his further Amended Statement/Point of Claim, REALITY gathered that, Mr. Reuben informed the trial Court (NICN) that he was employed by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) being the 1^st Defendant in Suit No: NIC/J/47/2013, on or about 1983 as a Clerical Officer (Accounts) on temporary appointment and was later made a permanent staff on 3^rd March 1988 and his appointment was confirmed with effect from 30^th November, 1985.

Adding that, he rose through the ranks to the post of Higher Executive Officer (Accounts) on or about 1999, a post he held until his purported dismissal by NVRI.

Mr. Reuben averred in his deposition that he worked for NVRI since his appointment and there was no problem between them until about September 2007, when NVRI purportedly stopped his salary without any reason whatsoever.

He told the Court that sequel to the stoppage of his salary, he lodged a complaint with the Minister of Agriculture against the indiscriminate manner the Institution was being run and the discrimination against him.

The Claimant, Mr. Reuben further averred that on or about the 22^nd of December 2008, having not received any response from the Minister of Agriculture, he wrote a reminder and also intimated the Minister about his purported dismissal by the Defendant (NVRI).

In a lamenting state, he told the trial Court that the letter of repudiation has never received response up till when he filed the Suit.

Mr. Reuben stated that, after fruitless efforts to have the stoppage of his salary reversed, he then briefed P.H.A. Omokhodion (Esq), a Legal Practitioner, who then wrote to the 1^st Defendant (NVRI) and the Defendant then replied.

You would recall that REALITY had reported that NCIN in its Judgment delivered by Hon. Justice R. H. Gwandu, had in part declared that:

1.       The Claimant’s employment is governed by the “Condition For Service For, Research Institute, Colleges of Agriculture and Allied Institutions of Federal Republic of Nigeria” of 1^st January 2004 and not the Public Service Rules.

2.       The dismissal of the Claimant from the service of the Respondents is inconsistent and in contravention of the Provisions of the Public Service Rules and Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion, and Discipline issued by the Federal Civil Service and therefore, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

While on its part, the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, while affirming the Judgment of the NICN, Jos Judicial Division, had unanimously dismissed the Appeal filed by NVRI for been unmeritorious.

TO BE CONTINUED…