Court orders EFCC to reinstate sacked operative

The President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria Justice Babatunde Adejumo yesterday ordered the reinstatement of a dismissed staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Nzekwe.

Nzekwe had in April 2014, through his counsel Abdul Mohammed, sought an order compelling the EFCC to restore him to the service following his dismissal in February 2014 over alleged disciplinary offences.

In a judgment yesterday, Adejumo held that the dismissal of the claimant was illegal because he was not given fair hearing.

Nzekwe was declared a deserter and dismissed after he overstayed his seven-day casual leave by eight days. He claimed his wife was hospitalised in India resulting in the over stay.

But the EFCC said Nzekwe was in possession of a memo mandating him to seek approval before traveling overseas, which he failed to comply with.

In his ruling, Justice Adejumo said the claimant should have been tried and punished on disciplinary offences as provided by the rules.

The judge dismissed EFCC’s counter claim for the operative to refund N500, 000 and other loans, and ordered the anti-graft agency to reinstate the claimant and pay him all outstanding salaries and entitlement.