.…as Court nullifies their disengagement
Grace Omachoko
Over 2,000 workers from the Ekiti State Teaching Serving Commission and Civil Service Commission who’s appointment were terminated by Kayode Fayemi during his second coming have appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for reinstatement and payment of five years’ worth of salary arrears.
During a press conference held on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the workers, represented by Ajayi Peter, Aribatise Ademola, and spokesperson Bayo Omoyeni, highlighted their plea for justice.
The workers, who were hired in September 2018 under the administration of Ayodele Fayose, saw their appointments abruptly terminated by former Governor Kayode Fayemi, citing irregularities in the hiring process. However, the workers claim their employment followed due process as laid down by Ekiti State Civil Service law.
Despite rendering nine months of service, the workers were not compensated before their dismissal by Fayemi’s administration.
In a recent development, the National Industrial Court in Akure, Ondo state, delivered a judgment in favour of the workers in suit No: NICN/AK/30/2022 on Thursday, February 8th, 2024. Presided over by Justice K.D Damulak, the court ruled that the workers, having been employed by the Ekiti State Government and posted to various workplaces, are entitled to payment by the government.
The court ordered the Ekiti State Government to settle the salary arrears of the 2018 TESCOM and Civil Service staff from the date of their appointments up to the date of the judgment and beyond.
In light of this judgment, the workers implore Governor Biodun Oyebanji to exhibit mercy and uphold justice by reinstating the terminated workers into the service commission and ensuring the payment of their rightful salaries.