Industrial Court orders Daar Communications to pay former staff Chidiebere N2.1m entitlement claim within 30 days
The Presiding Judge, Kano Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice E. D. Isele has declared the persistent refusal and failure of Daar Communications to pay its former staff, Chidiebere Otegwu’s salary arrears as well as other entitlements including accumulated unremitted Pensions since 2016 without reason as unfair, illegal and unlawful.
The Court ordered Daar Communications to pay Chidiebere Otegwu the sum of N745,873 (Seven hundred and Forty-Five thousand, Eight hundred and seventy-Three naira) accrued salary arrears and accumulated unremitted pensions as at November 2016, and the sum of N78,148.62 (Seventy-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Naira Sixty-Two Kobo only) accrued unremitted NHIS, and the sum of N13,024.85 (Thirteen Thousand, Twenty-Four Naira Eighty-Five Kobo only) accrued unremitted NHF and the sum of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Only) severance benefit, and the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) as general damages within 30 days.
From facts, the claimant- Chidiebere Otegwu had submitted that he was in the employment of Daar Communications between the years 2009 – 2016 as an English Editor of the Company’s strategic business unit and he was posted to Kano sometime in February 2009 and after being certified medical fit for the job.
Mr Chidiebere averred that Daar Communications had not paid his salaries for 7 months as at the time he resigned as well as other entitlements, and all efforts to get his pay were to no avail.
Despite service of hearing notices on the defendant- Daar Communication, it neglected to put up an appearance to defend the suit against it and Mr. Chidiebere testified and tendered exhibits.
In his judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Isele held that Mr. Chidiebere Otegwu has proved his case substantially against the media firm as required by law and entered judgment in his favour.
Justice Isele also awarded the sum of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira as the cost of action against Daar Communications.
