By Fatai Abiodun
The idea of “justice as three-way traffic” which connotes the belief that justice is not only about protecting the rights of individuals, but also about upholding the values of society and the integrity of the legal system itself recently took centre stage following the public statements issued by the Plateau State Polytechnic and the Plateau State College of Education on the recalling and reinstatement of their staff who were unlawfully disengaged and restored by the judgment of the Industrial Court delivered by Justice Ibrahim Galadima.
It was Lord Walter Samuel Onnoghen the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, during the swearing-in of the National Industrial Court Judges in 2017 who opined that court orders are not for window dressing but a necessity for the survival of a decent society. It’s calculative to stress that the effect of the Judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Galadima emphasises that indeed labour justice aims to create a society where work is a source of dignity, economic security, and social inclusion for all is guaranteed.
In Suit No NICN/JOS/09/2024 between Wulkwap Hoomen Danjuma and 181 Others V Governor of Plateau State and Two others, and NICN/JOS/08/2024 Between Dake Emmanuel Chendu & 99 Others v Governor of Plateau State & 2 ORS the Court per Ibrahim Galadima declared that the Governor of Plateau State has no power or authority to suspend, terminate, nullify or in any way interfere with the employments and appointments of Wulkwap Hoomen Danjuma and 181 Others duly engaged in the services and employment of the State Polytechnic and the College of Education.
Justice Galadima further declared that the purported termination, nullification and cancellation of the employments and appointments of the applicants by the Governor of Plateau State was unlawful, illegal, null and void with no legal effect whatsoever, and ordered for Wulkwap Hoomen Danjuma and 181 Others, and Dake Emmanuel Chendu & 99 Others reinstatement into Plateau State Polytechnic and Plateau State College of Education respectively.
The Government of Plateau State in her wisdom and total obedience to the Rule of Law caused the affected Institutions, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi and Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri to issue a Public announcement on the status of the reinstated staff.
Part of the Recall Public Notice issued by Plateau State Polytechnic reads:
“Arising from the judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Jos, Judicial Division delivered by his lordship Justice Ibrahim Galadima in Suit No NICN/JOS/09/2024 between Wulkwap Hoomen Danjuma and 181 Others V Governor of Plateau State and Two others, the Management Committee of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi in compliance with the judgment hereby recalls all the claimants in the suit.
“All the Claimants involved are required to report to the Office of the Registrar, Plateau State Polytechnic on Wednesday 28th May 2025 by 10 am with originals of their credentials and other documents to conclude such documentation by Friday 30th May 2025.”
In the same vein, Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri issued as follows:
“Following the directive by the National Industrial Court, Jos Division on the reinstatement of relieved staff of the College of Education, Gindiri, the Acting Provost, Professor Lazarus Maigoro on behalf of the Management of the College is informing all claimants employed by the College to by this announcement report to their duty post immediately. They are also to attend a meeting at the Academic Board Room on Wednesday, 28th May 2025 by 10.00 am prompt.”
This is not the first time the employer of labour, either a Government, Private firm or commission, would be complying with the orders of the Industrial Court, but what made this historic is the way the compliance was done with the public notice announcement, which is historic and unique.
With my years of experience in reporting for the judiciary, I have never come across such publicity from anyone. If other employers could emulate the action of the Government of Plateau State in accepting the verdict of the court with no iota of vendetta, our society would be better and more palatable for all.
This singular concept embarked upon by the Plateau State Governor via Polytechnic and the Plateau State College of Education not only signifies an obedience to the Rule of Law and Justice but also an affirmation of a responsible Government.
Special thanks to the Hon. Presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Galadima for delivering justice without fear, favour or intimidation. My Lord’s decision has further reinforced the belief of the general public, most importantly the employees, that at the Industrial Court, the only language of the Court is Justice.
Even though the Government of Plateau State had the Constitutional right to Appeal to test the decision of the Industrial Court which could have lasted for a year(s), the Government of Plateau State decided to tow the part of honour in respect of the clarity of the Judgment delivered by the trial court presided by Justice Ibrahim Galadima which likely will be upheld by the Apex Court and those that would have suffered for the delay are the beneficiaries of that judgment.
It was the Retired President of the Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo OFR who posited that the essence of labour justice is rooted in the survival of human beings. Milord averred that when one person loses his/her job, it affects many people whose means of survival depends on that person, the reason for the integration of societal factors in the judgment of the Court.
On several occasions, the President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, PhD, OFR continues to stress that the paternalism of the law has not beclouded the Court’s sense of justice and fairness to all litigants and further that the Court would never ceased to stress that an employer cannot treat an employee shabbily and expect a pat on the back from the Court.
What the masses are witnessing today is the product of strategic sacrifice and the essence of labour justice that lies in ensuring fair treatment, equal opportunities, and decent working conditions for all workers.
The matters that started in 2024 and the judgment was delivered within a year symbolise the astuteness and readiness of the Court to give justice irrespective of the Status of the parties. Gone are the days when the employees would be scared of taking the Government and machinery of a State to court with no ray of hope of getting Justice. Today, the story has changed, and the Industrial Court is living up to the yearning of the founding fathers and the aspiration of Nigerians.
The speciality of the Industrial Court as a specialised court where the issue of litigation stops at the Court of Appeal in order to bring the fruit of justice closer to the judgment beneficiary is a legendary idea, and the masses are seeing the need for such inclusion in the Constitution.
Verily, this is another testimony to the obedience to Court order as exemplified by the Government of Plateau State. The idea and notion of Justice would be visible if parties could align their position with the rule of law. As we journey through life, we must understand that mis-understanding is part of life and In Court, there will be loser and winner but the most important thing is for the parties to see themselves as partners in nation building because if there is no love, their won’t be employment issue in the first place.
Congratulations to the reinstated staff.
#LabourJustice
Fatai Abiodu writes from Abuja.
fatai.abiodun200709@gmail.com
