Court adjourns worker vs NLNG matter to October 2022

Port Harcourt -- The National Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Thursday adjourned the matter on the defamation of character and unlawful termination of employment between a contract worker, Tambari Michael and the Nigeria LNG Limited to October 25th 2022.

The judge, Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, said the adjournment was to enable the new Counsel to the claimant, Mecha Mecha Kalu, to study the case before continuing.

Recall that the claimant, Tambari Michael, a former contract staff of NLNG had approach the court in 2019 to challenge the termination of his appointment by the Supervisor of NLNG's Logistics, praying the Court to declare his job termination as illegal and unlawful third party interference.

Michael in the suit number NICN/ PH/43/2019 claimed that displaying his name and image amongst persons accused to have committed criminal offenses was defamatory, which according to him, runs contrary to Section 4 of the NLNG Code of Conduct bordering on harassment.

Defendants in the suit are, Nigeria LNG Limited, AUGJ Services Nigeria Ltd (the contracting firm) and Abimbola Ibukunle, the company’s Logistics Supervisor when the services of the claimant was terminated.

Other demands stated by the Claimant in the suit are, "Damages be awarded to claimant against 1st defendant (Nigeria LNG limited) and 3rd defendant (Mrs. Abimbola Ibikunle) for defamatory publication made.

"Damages also to be awarded against 1st and 3rd defendant for unlawfully interference upon Mr Tambari Michael employment with AUGJ services (2nd defendant)."

When the matter was called in the Court on Thursday, Counsel to the Claimant, Mecha Mecha Kalu, who appeared in court for the first time, informed the court that he has just taken over the matter as counsel and solicitor to the claimant.

Speaking to newsmen after the court session, Counsel to the Claimant, Mecha Mecha Kalu, expressed confidence that his client will get justice in the court; however, Counsel to the defendant declined comment.