Justice Kanyip Of NICN Recuses Himself From CBN Lawsuit Over Conflict Of Interest
The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Benedict Kanyip, has recused himself from presiding over lawsuits filed by 62 former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employees challenging their recent dismissals.
Justice Kanyip made the decision during a court session on Tuesday after it was revealed that a lawyer representing the CBN in the case was his in-law, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
The 62 former CBN employees, who were disengaged from service on May 24, 2024, through a letter titled “REORGANISATION,” filed individual lawsuits against the bank. They argue that their terminations violated the provisions of the CBN Act 2007 and the institution’s Human Resource Policies and Procedure Manual (HRPPM).
Describing the terminations as “arbitrary, unlawful, null, and void,” the claimants are seeking several remedies, including:
– A declaration that their employment contracts remain valid and binding.
– An order setting aside their terminations and reinstating them to their previous or higher positions.
– Payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, and entitlements they would have earned had their employment not been terminated.
Of the 62 cases, 31 were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, with the remaining 31 listed for Wednesday. The claimants’ counsel also filed a motion to consolidate the cases for efficiency.
When the first case was called, Ola Olanipekun appeared for the claimants, while Obafemi Agaba, representing the CBN, informed the court that the bank had retained a consortium of law firms, including Damian Dodo & Co.
Upon hearing this, Justice Kanyip disclosed that Damian Dodo was his in-law, explaining that his family connection to the lawyer could create a perceived conflict of interest.
Citing his discomfort with presiding over the matter, Justice Kanyip announced his recusal and indicated that the cases would be reassigned to another judge for adjudication. Before stepping down, he sought the opinion of the claimants’ counsel, who supported his decision to avoid any potential bias or impropriety.
The cases will now be transferred to another judge for continuation. Meanwhile, the claimants await further directions on their motion to consolidate the lawsuits.
This development underscores the importance of judicial impartiality and ethical considerations in the administration of justice, ensuring that all parties receive a fair hearing.
