By Divine Sam
Aggrieved former employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), dismissed during a large-scale layoff in 2024, have filed a lawsuit against the institution, seeking N30 billion in damages.
The dismissed staff, in a class action, argue that the CBN violated their constitutional rights to a fair hearing and breached both labor laws and its own internal policies in the termination process.
The employees, who were laid off in April 2024 through a restructuring initiative, claim they were not given proper consultation or the opportunity to defend themselves before their dismissal.
They contend that the process was arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional, and they are seeking a court order for reinstatement, back salaries, and compensation for the emotional distress caused by their dismissal.
The lawsuit also references CBN’s internal human resources guidelines, which mandate consultation with staff representatives before termination decisions. Despite CBN’s claims that the layoffs were voluntary and part of a reorganization, the employees argue that proper procedures were not followed.
The National Industrial Court has urged both parties to seek an amicable resolution and set a hearing date for January 29, 2025, to address a preliminary objection raised by CBN’s legal team.
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