The National Industrial Court, Abuja, Thursday, ordered the reinstatement of Ambassador Mohammed Dauda, who was dismissed as the acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in 2018. The court also awarded Dauda, who was dismissed on March 6, 2018, N1m.
In an originating summons filed through his counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and marked NICN/ABJ/136/2018, Dauda joined the Director- General and NIA as first and second defendants respectively.
He asked the court to determine whether the procedure adopted by the defendants in the case leading to his purported dismissal is in compliance with Article 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (CAPS 278) 1986.
He also asked the court to determine whether the purported letter of dismissal issued on March 6, 2018 was not unlawful, null and void and of no effect.
The former acting NIA DG also asked the court to reinstate him as director; and order the payment of his salaries and other entitlements from the date of his unlawful dismissal to the date of his reinstatement.
Delivering judgment, Justice Olufunke Anuwe granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant.
The judge said the process leading to the dismissal of the intelligence officer was wrong and illegal as it did not follow laid down procedure, and therefore it is of no effect
The presiding judge therefore declared Duada’s dismissal as a director in the agency as illegal, null and void and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
The judge also ordered the full payment of his salaries and entitlements from the date of his dismissal to date of reinstatement.
