Former staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who were dismissed in a mass layoff last year, have sued the apex bank.

In a court document seen by TheCable on Monday, the workers alleged that the CBN violated internal policies, Nigerian labour laws, and their contractual rights.

The claimants, represented by Stephen Gana and 32 others, filed a class action lawsuit at the national industrial court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja.

They said their termination process, carried out through letters, titled, ‘Reorganizational and Human Capital Restructuring’, and dated April 5, 2024, violated both the CBN human resources policies and procedures manual (HRPPM) and Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution.

The claimants said the process lacked the necessary consultation and fair hearing mandated by law.

The originating summons, filed on July 4, 2024, under the NICN Civil Procedure Rules 2017, raised several questions for the court to consider, including whether the claimants were denied their constitutional right to a fair hearing before and after their appointments were terminated.

The workers also claimed that the termination letters, issued on the basis of “restructuring,” were arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.

Insisting that they continue to work for the apex bank, the claimants are seeking a court ruling that their dismissals are “void and useless”.

Additionally, they sought a restraining order to prevent the CBN from firing them without following the proper procedures, immediate reinstatement, and payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.

The court filing references Article 16.4.1 of the HRPPM, which mandates consultation with the joint consultative council (JCC) and adherence to fair procedures before employment actions adversely affect staff.

The claimants said the provision was flagrantly disregarded, as they were given just three days to vacate their positions and hand over official property.

They are also seeking N30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm caused by the dismissal; and an additional N500 million as the cost of the suit.

COURT ENCOURAGES AMICABLE RESOLUTION

In another document dated November 20, 2024, the court called for an amicable resolution of the matter.

Gana and their counsel represented the claimants while Inam Wilson alongside seven other lawyers represented the CBN (the defendant).

In the document, Obaseki Osaghae, the presiding judge of the industrial court, acknowledged the defendant’s preliminary objection, filed on November 4, 2024, challenging the suit’s admissibility.

The claimants responded with a counter-affidavit, which their counsel confirmed had been served.

In response, the judge encouraged both parties to explore a settlement under Section 20 of the National Industrial Court Act (NICA) of 2006.

“It is my view that parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute,” Osaghae said.

The matter was, therefore adjourned to January 29 for the hearing of the preliminary objection or to review the progress of any settlement discussions.

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, says telecommunication companies (telcos) in the country want a 100 percent increase in tariffs.

On April 25, 2024, telcos said their services were overdue for price increments as they have not raised rates in the last 11 years.

Speaking on the business segment of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Toriola said the hike is necessary to address the escalating operational costs caused by inflation, and naira devaluation.

“We at MTN believe we need tariff adjustment of about 100 percent, I think the industry is pretty much aligned because we are all experiencing the same headwinds,” the CEO said.

“Now, the government is very sensitive to squeeze consumers’ wallets with the pressures that have come from inflation and currency devaluation on consumers.

“So, I am not sure they will give us 100 percent, but I am optimistic they will give us something substantial and maybe progressively over the course of the year we can have smaller adjustments that will help us to get back to where we need to be.”

He pointed out that while sectors like aviation and power have adjusted their tariffs to cope with rising costs, the telecommunications industry has yet to do so.

According to Toriola, global telecommunications industry statistics indicate Nigeria likely has the second or third lowest tariffs worldwide for both data and voice services.

‘TARIFF ADJUSTMENT CRITICAL TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SERVICE’

The proposed tariff adjustment, Toriola said, would not only ensure the sustainability of the telecoms industry but also enable companies to maintain and improve the quality of their services.

“What the tariff allows us to do is to continue to invest, continue to build capacity, build resilience, put in additional generators, authentic power supply system to give you stable and high-quality networks,” he said.

“So, it addresses sustainability and also enables the regulators to hold the big stick on the issue of quality of service and allows us consequently to invest in giving the quality of service Nigerians deserve.”

Toriola described 2024 as a “torrid year” for Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, citing the impacts of soaring inflation and the government’s devaluation of the naira.

He commended policymakers for taking steps aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Responding to concerns about potential service disruptions if the tariff increase is not approved, Toriola assured Nigerians that MTN and other network providers remain committed to keeping their networks operational.

“What I try to do is paint a realistic picture without being alarmist. The truth is that if you have any organisation that is spending 160 percent of what they earn in revenue, effectively at some point that organisation is going to shut down,” he said.

“So we are always going to act responsibly. We will use all our resources. We are keeping our networks up. We are not shutting down our networks at this point in time and we will continue to do so.”

Ghana has reportedly scrapped visa processes required to enter the country for citizens of all African nations.

This will make Ghana the fifth visa-free country in Africa, following Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin.

The new policy is expected to boost travel, trade, and tourism.

In January 2024, President Nana Akufo-Addo pledged to make the West African country visa-free during the Africa prosperity dialogues (APD) which was held in Ghana.

“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event,” he said.

“The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free travel for all Africans, and the process has begun to implement the policy this year.”

Joy Online, a local paper, reported that the policy has now been communicated to the ministry of foreign affairs and regional integration, and the ministry of interior, which have commenced preparations for its execution.

The report said the executive approval was granted on December 18, 2024, with the policy set to take effect before the end of Akufo-Addo’s term on January 6.

The Ghana Immigration Service is expected to announce the official start date.

In 2023, a similar move was made by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Ruto says Africans travelling to the country would no longer need visas by the end of the year.

The process was replaced by a new policy requiring intending travellers entering the country to apply for a $30 electronic travel authorization (eTA) and wait up to three days for a decision.