Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to recall Mr Olu Ibirogba, its Bursar, who was sacked in July 2015 for exposing alleged corruption in the institution.
She also awarded N20 million damages to Ibirogba for his unfair dismissal.
This is besides the payment of all his salaries and entitlement since he was removed from his job.
The money is to be paid within 21 days, or it will attract 10 per cent interest.
The police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are also to begin investigations into Ibirogbaโs allegations against the administration of Dr Kudirat Ladipo, who was the Rector when the bursar was sacked in 2015.
In the judgment, the judge chided YABATECHโs lawyer Omolola Satar for disrespecting the judicial process.
Declaring Ibirogbaโs sack null and void, she said it was โin gross violation of Section 17 (3) of the Federal Polytechnic Act, extant civil service rules and an affront to the judgement of this courtโ.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae said: โI find that there was a calculated and deliberate attempt by the defendants to subvert the cause and administration of justice. This is one of the instances the court must grant punitive costs to forestall a repeat of the contemptuous actions of the defendants.
โConsequently, I award N20,000,000.00 as punitive damages jointly and severally against the defendants for the unjust termination of the claimantโs appointment and deliberate attempt by the defendants to subvert the cause of justice.โ
