NUP’s suspension of 23 members illegal – Court

The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Wednesday declared the suspension by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Niger branch, 23 of its members as illegal, null and void.

Justice Sanusi Kado declared that the suspension of the claimants on June 20, 2016, was illegal, null and void and of no effect.

Kado also ordered that reasonable access should be granted to the members to view the financial records of the union.

He said the evidence before the court showed that the claimants were not given a fair hearing before the purported suspension.

Kado said the defendant did not debunk the allegation by the claimants that they were not given the opportunity to defend themselves before the suspension.

He said though the constitution of the union as approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions stated that disciplinary actions should be imposed on erring members, the method was not stated.

Kado, however, said the constitution stipulated that fair hearing should be accorded members before actions can be taken.

The claimant, Hassan Yusuf and 22 other members had approached the court to seek redress when they were suspended over alleged anti-union activities.

Emmanuel Jiya, the claimants’ counsel, said in his submission that the claimants were suspended for exercising their constitutional right to know the financial affairs of the union.

Blessing Obafemi, the defence counsel, however, argued that the claimants were involved in anti-union activity hence their suspension.

She further submitted that the claimants acted contrary to rules governing the unions by demanding copies of financial records of the union.