Ex-NICON AGM Files N492m Lawsuit Against Company Over Unpaid Salaries
The former assistant general manager of NICON Insurance Company Limited, Sunday Akintunde has lodged a lawsuit worth N492 million against his previous employer, alleging nonpayment of salaries and other entitlements.
Newsmen reports that in the lawsuit, filed at the National Industrial Court in Abuja, Akintunde seeks a declaration that NICON violated the terms of his employment contract. He asserts that his termination on July 13, 2022, was unjustified and illegal, given his consistent and effective performance during his tenure.
Represented by his attorney, Noah Ajare, Akintunde claims that NICON failed to pay six months’ worth of his salary prior to his abrupt dismissal.
He also alleges that the company withheld his terminal benefits, unremitted pension deductions, and mandatory employer contributions to his Pension Fund Account (PFA) for the duration of his four-year employment.
While acknowledging a net debt of N3,099,401.88 to NICON, which the company paid on his behalf during his service, Akintunde insists that the company should account for his entitlements and provide all due financial benefits.
He expressed his readiness to repay any net balance, asserting that he had not infringed on anyone’s rights or property.
Akintunde further alleges that upon his dismissal, NICON demanded the return of the N3,099,401.88 or his KIA Optima vehicle, accusing him of absconding with it.
Despite receiving memos instructing him to surrender the vehicle documents, Akintunde maintains that he is the rightful owner, as indicated by the vehicle particulars and change of ownership documents.
He insists that he had been using the KIA Optima car prior to joining the company.
Akintunde also accuses NICON of resorting to police intimidation and harassment through continuous invitations.
As a result, he is seeking N200 million in special damages for character assassination, which he claims has tarnished his reputation as a preacher, a church leader, and a principled individual holding responsible positions in corporate and societal settings.
Additionally, he is seeking N200 million in damages for alleged wrongful termination of employment and false accusations of theft and conversion of the company’s car. The total relief sought amounts to N492 million.
The case, presided over by Justice RB Haastrup, is scheduled for a hearing on December 18.
