Dismissal: Ex-NIA DG to await Court of Appeal decision

A National Industrial Court in Abuja has adjourned the suit by former DirectorGeneral of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Dauda, challenging his purported dismissal from office by the agency.

Justice Olufunke Anuwe, last week, adjourned the suit indefinitely to await the decision of the Court of Appeal on the issue of jurisdiction of the court to determine the substantive suit before it.

The court, however refused an application by the NIA through its counsel, Henry Chichi, seeking a stay of proceeding in the suit, but ordered the parties to file pleadings within 14 days.

In an originating summon filed through his counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and marked NICN/ABJ/136/2018, Ambassador Dauda joined the Director- General, NIA and the NIA as first and second defendants respectively.

Ambassador Dauda is praying the court to determine whether the procedure adopted by the NIA in the process leading to his purported dismissal is in compliance with Article 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (CAPS 278) 1986.

He is demanding the nullification of the procedure adopted for his dismissal via a letter dated March 6, 2018 as it falls short of the provisions of Articles 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (Cap 278 LFN) 1986 and is null and void.