metro
Sacked CBN workers head to court, demand N30bn compensation
Sacked CBN workers head to court, demand N30bn compensation
Disengaged staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who were laid off in a mass termination in 2023, have filed a lawsuit against the bank at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja.
The originating summons, filed on July 4, 2024, by 33 former employees, alleges several breaches by the CBN. The claimants argue that their constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated both before and after their terminations.
In their court filings, the former employees also accuse the CBN of contravening its internal policies, Nigerian labor laws, and the terms of their employment contracts.
They are seeking a judicial review to determine whether the termination of their appointments was lawful and in line with due process.
The claimants include Stephen Gana, Kabiru Idris, Benedict Agbo, Peter Adeyemi, John Yisa, Eleanor Ihua, and others. Represented by Okwudili Abanum in a class action lawsuit, they argued that the termination process, carried out through letters titled “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” dated April 5, 2024, contravened the CBN’s human resources policies and procedures manual as well as Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The claimants further asserted that the termination process lacked the mandatory consultation and fair hearing required by law.
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They described the termination letters, issued under the guise of restructuring, as arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.
On these grounds, the former staff members sought an order declaring their dismissal null and void.
They also requested a restraining order to prevent the CBN from terminating their employment without adhering to proper procedures.
Additionally, the claimants demanded an immediate reinstatement of their positions, with payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.
They cited Article 16.4.1 of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM), which mandates consultation with the Joint Consultative Council and adherence to fair procedures before taking employment actions that adversely affect staff.
According to the claimants, the CBN flagrantly disregarded this provision, giving them only three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.
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The group is also seeking N30bn in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal, as well as an additional N500m to cover the cost of the suit.
During the first mention of the case on November 20, 2024, the presiding judge, Justice O. A. Osaghae, urged both parties to pursue an amicable resolution.
“This is a new matter, mentioned for the first time. I have reviewed the processes and believe that the parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute. Consequently, parties are encouraged, pursuant to Section 20 of the NICA 2006, to seek amicable settlement,” Justice Osaghae said.
The CBN, represented by a legal team led by Inam Wilson (SAN), informed the court of a preliminary objection to the claimants’ suit filed on November 4, 2024.
The CBN’s counsel also noted that they had recently been served with the claimants’ response to the objection.
Following submissions by the defendant’s counsel, Justice Osaghae adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for a hearing on the preliminary objection.
It should be recalled that in 2024, the apex bank terminated the appointments of approximately 1,000 staff in four batches between March and May.
Some affected staff claimed they received severance payments as low as N5,000, while others said their gratuities were entirely absorbed to offset outstanding loans.
Although the layoff was officially attributed to “reorganisation and human capital restructuring,” the affected staff argued that the process violated the CBN Act, which requires board approval for significant employment decisions.
On December 4, 2024, the apex bank stated that its early exit package was entirely voluntary and came without negative repercussions for eligible staff.
Sacked CBN workers head to court, demand N30bn compensation
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metro
Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured
Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured
One person has been killed and three others seriously injured in a road accident on the Lagos Coastal Road inward Eko Hotel in Lagos.
The crash, which occurred on Friday, involved a grey Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number LSD 554 KV.
Preliminary information from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) indicated that the vehicle lost control, crashed into a roadside pole and overturned.
The impact left one person dead, while three others sustained serious injuries. The injured victims were reportedly trapped in the wreckage before passersby assisted in bringing them out.
They were subsequently taken to Duck-Yard Hospital within the Military Zone for medical treatment.
LASTMA officials who responded to the scene secured the area and coordinated the emergency operation. Security personnel from the Victoria Island area also assisted in managing the situation.
The damaged Lexus was later removed from the road to prevent further danger to motorists and help restore normal traffic movement along the affected section.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists to exercise greater caution while using the road.
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He advised motorists to avoid excessive speed, reckless driving and other dangerous practices that could result in loss of vehicle control.
The latest Lagos Coastal Road accident has also renewed attention on road safety along the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly as construction and traffic movement continue on parts of the route.
Federal officials have previously raised concerns about motorists exceeding the recommended speed on the highway. However, authorities have not established that speeding was the direct cause of Friday’s Lexus crash.
The incident follows another fatal crash reported on the Coastal Road in August, when a trailer reportedly lost control and collided with a Toyota mini truck, leaving one person dead and two others injured.
LASTMA urged motorists to remain vigilant and comply with traffic regulations while using the Lagos Coastal Highway. Members of the public were also advised to report road crashes, vehicle breakdowns and obstructions through the agency’s toll-free emergency line, 3367.
Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured
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metro
Nigeria Launches 11-Character Digital Postcode System for Every Addressable Building
Nigeria Launches 11-Character Digital Postcode System for Every Addressable Building
The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, giving addressable buildings across the country unique 11-character digital postcodes linked to their precise geographical locations.
The system was officially launched on October 1, 2026, through the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s addressing infrastructure and make it easier to identify homes, businesses, schools, farms, offices and other locations.
The new digital postcode system uses Geographic Information System technology to provide a precise and verifiable digital reference for buildings. Unlike the traditional postcode system, which generally identifies broader geographical areas, the new system is designed to pinpoint individual addressable buildings.
The 11-character code is organised across five geographical levels: state, local government area, district, area and building. The characters progressively narrow the location down to a specific building.
The Federal Government said the system is designed to address longstanding problems associated with inaccurate or incomplete addresses, including missed deliveries and difficulties faced by emergency responders, businesses and government agencies.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said accurate location information was essential to improving commerce, public services and economic participation.
Tijani urged Nigerians to find, save and use their digital postcodes, saying the system could help businesses reach customers, enable families to provide precise locations during emergencies and support government agencies in delivering services.
The government estimates that Nigeria loses between ₦50 billion and ₦80 billion annually through missed and failed deliveries associated with poor addressing. Officials said the impact extends beyond logistics to emergency response, security operations, financial services, business activities and government planning.
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The NIPOST digital postcode belongs to a building rather than an individual. This means the code remains associated with the property even when residents or businesses occupying it change.
The new system is also designed to complement existing street addresses and mapping services rather than replace them. Users can provide their digital postcode alongside their conventional address when receiving deliveries or accessing services.
Nigerians can search for their postcode through the official Digital Postcode platform or mobile application. Users can search for their building or use location services to identify the building where they are.
Where a building cannot be found, users can submit its location and address details for verification and assignment of a postcode.
The service allows individuals to find, save and share their postcodes with family members, businesses, delivery companies and other service providers that require accurate location information.
Organisations can also integrate the digital postcode into their platforms for functions including address verification, customer and merchant onboarding, logistics, deliveries and location-based services.
The system is expected to have significant applications in e-commerce and last-mile delivery, where inaccurate addresses and dependence on informal landmarks can cause delays and additional costs.
Emergency response agencies are also expected to benefit from the system because responders can use a standard location reference to identify specific buildings during emergencies.
Security agencies, financial institutions, government departments and other organisations can similarly use the location data for planning, verification and service delivery.
The launch followed preparatory work by NIPOST, including a nationwide postcode validation exercise aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of location data ahead of the national rollout.
The Federal Government has described the initiative as an important part of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, with potential applications in logistics, e-commerce, emergency services, security, financial inclusion, urban planning and digital public services.
NIPOST is encouraging Nigerians to identify their 11-character digital postcode and begin using it whenever precise location information is required.
The rollout is expected to provide Nigeria with a common digital location reference and reduce some of the challenges associated with identifying and reaching specific buildings across the country.
Nigeria Launches 11-Character Digital Postcode System for Every Addressable Building
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metro
Military Personnel Begin Receiving FG-Approved Salary Increase
Military Personnel Begin Receiving FG-Approved Salary Increase
Personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have begun receiving their September salaries with the Federal Government-approved salary increase reflected in their payments, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying the implementation marked the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and conditions of service of military personnel.
The revised military salary structure followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval in August and took effect from September 1, 2026.
Under the approved arrangement, personnel from the rank of Private to Sergeant are entitled to an 80 per cent salary increase, while those from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive a 50 per cent increase.
Officers from the rank of Brigadier-General and above are to receive a 30 per cent increase.
The Federal Government had said the adjustment would raise the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from about ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, representing an additional ₦264 billion in personnel expenditure.
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The implementation comes as the military continues operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats across the country.
The government has linked the salary review to broader efforts to improve troop welfare and conditions of service, alongside investments in military infrastructure, equipment and manpower.
The Defence Headquarters’ confirmation also comes amid the Federal Government’s wider expansion of the Armed Forces. The Nigerian Army is being expanded from eight to 12 divisions, while additional personnel are being recruited to strengthen the military’s operational capacity.
In a related development, the Federal Government is also implementing infrastructure projects aimed at improving accommodation and living conditions for military personnel and their families.
The revised pay structure is expected to provide increased remuneration for serving personnel according to their ranks, while further implementation details will determine how the new salary package is reflected across the different services and categories of personnel.
The Army, Navy and Air Force remain covered by the revised salary arrangement as the government continues its broader military welfare programme.
Military Personnel Begin Receiving FG-Approved Salary Increase
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