By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
After a grueling 10-year legal battle, justice has finally smiled on 74 academic and non-academic staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, as the National Industrial Court sitting in Asaba ruled in their favor against the Delta State Government and others involved in their abrupt and controversial removal from the government payroll.
The landmark judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice Opeloye A. Ogunbowale, brings closure to a case that has lingered since July 2015, when the affected staff were expunged from the payroll just two months after former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assumed office. The state government had claimed the appointments, made under the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, were irregular.
Describing the removal as “illegal, unlawful, and maliciously done,” the court declared the action null and void. It further ordered the immediate reinstatement of all 74 staff to their current ranks, the payment of all arrears of salaries and entitlements accrued since July 2015, and awarded N200,000 in damages against the Delta State Government.
“Victory for the Oppressed”
Reacting to the judgment, lead counsel to the claimants, Barrister Mgbakor Simon, expressed deep gratitude to God and the judiciary, describing the outcome as a “victory for the oppressed and a reaffirmation of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”
One of the jubilant staff, speaking on behalf of the group, said:
“This is a triumph for truth, patience, and justice. We return all glory to God Almighty for this long-awaited victory.”
The courtroom, filled with emotion, bore witness to tears of joy and relieved embraces, marking the end of what many described as a painful chapter of uncertainty and injustice.
This judgment is not just a win for the 74 staff but also a strong reminder of the power of persistence, the rule of law, and the enduring pursuit of justice in Nigeria’s labor system.