Industrial Court Upholds CBN’s Dismissal of Employee Over Prolonged Absence
Hon. Justice Salisu Danjidda of the National Industrial Court, Uyo Judicial Division, has dismissed the claim of unlawful dismissal brought by Simeon against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), holding that the action of the Bank was lawful and in line with its Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual.
The Court found that Simeon was absent from duty without permission for about 223 working days and that the medical certificates he relied upon did not meet the requirements stipulated under the Bank’s policies, which mandate that external medical certificates must show either in‑patient admission or referral by the Bank’s medical doctors.
Evidence before the Court revealed that Simeon was queried, responded to the queries, and appeared before the Central Disciplinary Committee of the CBN, where he defended himself before his eventual dismissal. Justice Danjidda held that the disciplinary process complied with the rules of natural justice and the Bank’s internal procedures.
In dismissing the suit, the Court concluded: “The decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria in dismissing Simeon for prolonged absence from duty without permission cannot be faulted, having complied with the Bank’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual and the rules of natural justice. Consequently, Simeon’s case fails, and the suit is dismissed in its entirety.”
