Court orders KWASU to pay dismissed lecturer 3 months salary

The national industrial court has ordered the Kwara State University (KWASU) to pay David Atanda, a lecturer dismissed by the institution, his three months’ salary.

Atanda was sacked by the institution in October 2016 for alleged misconduct.

NAN reports that the court directed the varsity to pay Atanda the salary within 21 days in lieu of notice of the termination of his appointment.

It also awarded the sum of N200,000 as a cost in favour of the lecturer.

The lecturer had told the court that his appointment with the university was for a three-year probationary period.

He also argued that a disciplinary committee constituted by the institution did not give him a fair hearing on the alleged misconduct leading to the termination of his appointment.

The claimant further said he was not given the opportunity to question or cross-examine the people that levelled the allegations against him.

He argued that by his letter of appointment, he ought to have been given either three months’ notice of the termination or payment in lieu of the notice.

But reacting, the institution maintained that the claimant was afforded an opportunity to be heard and cross-examine those that gave evidence against him.

It also said it followed the laid down procedure as provided by the university law in terminating Atanda’s appointment.

The defendant further said by section 16 of the Kwara State University Law, 2008; the university can investigate and punish any of its erring staff.

The school argued that the claimant was not entitled to any payments or payment in lieu of notice and urged the court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

In his ruling, Kiyersohot Damulak, the judge, held that the claimant’s allegation of wanting a fair hearing was not proven and not sustainable.

The judge also dismissed the allegation of wrongful employment termination by Atanda against the institution for lacking merit.

Damulak further struck out the lecturer’s plea for reinstatement.