Court orders INEC to reinstate employee fired since 2014

David Ezeugoh, in Abuja –

The National Industrial Court in Awka has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate an employee who was fired without justification and a chance to defend himself.

Justice John Targema ruled that INEC violated Patrick Ikenna’s constitutional right to a fair hearing when they terminated his employment in September 2014, citing only “general inefficiency” without providing specific details.

Ikenna, who worked as an assistant executive officer with INEC’s Anambra State office, said he repeatedly asked officials to explain why he was fired and requested a fair hearing, but his requests were ignored. He also claimed that staff members he had trained were hired to replace him without interviews.

INEC argued that Ikenna was never properly authorised to work for the commission and that there was no record of him at the agency’s head office. The commission also claimed his lawsuit was filed too late, beyond the required three-month deadline.

Justice Targema rejected INEC’s arguments, finding that the commission failed to follow proper procedures for terminating an employee, including not giving him a query letter, not specifying his offence, and not allowing him to defend himself.

“The termination of Ikenna’s employment is hereby declared null, void and of no effect since the termination did not follow due process,” the court ruled, adding that public officers cannot claim legal protection when they act outside their authority.

The court ordered INEC and its officials to reinstate Ikenna, pay him all lost employment benefits and entitlements, and give him any promotions he would have received during his time away.