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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Ibadan Division, on Tuesday, adjourned for further mention the suit filed by the sacked staff of BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the claimants, Barr Omoniyi Odeyemi, told the court that he was informed by his principal that counsel to the respondent has forwarded a letter to the court.
“My Lord, my principal called me this morning to say the respondent said they forwarded a letter to the court, we have not see the letter,” he said.
He was subsequently shown a copy of the letter by the Court Registrar.
Responding, Odeyemi said: “We have no objection.”
In his ruling, Justice Hassan Yakubu, adjourned the case till April 15 for further mention.
Recall that in December 2019, and June 2020, 147 staff were laid off by BOWEN University without payment of their entitlements and benefits.This prompted 22 out of the disengaged staff to file separate suits at the NICN in July 2021.
They claimed that most of them were pioneer staff of the institution and are therefore qualified for entitlements and benefits.