The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed fresh attempts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to halt the payment of ₦2.5 billion to 110 former ABU staff who were unlawfully dismissed nearly three decades ago.
In two unanimous judgments delivered on Friday, a three-man panel of the appellate court ordered the CBN to immediately release the funds to the affected workers, describing the appeals filed by both institutions as “unmeritorious.”
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Okon Abang issued a stern warning that severe sanctions would be imposed on CBN officials if they continued to frustrate the execution of the ruling. He rejected arguments that the workers must first obtain the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation before payment, affirming that garnishee proceedings against the apex bank were proper and lawful.
The court faulted the CBN for deploying public funds to challenge a judgment designed to relieve the hardship of workers who have waited since 1996 for justice.
In addition to the ₦2.5 billion judgment sum, the Court of Appeal awarded ₦5 million each against the CBN and ABU as costs in favour of the dismissed workers, further strengthening their long-awaited victory.
This ruling marks a significant milestone in the decades-long legal battle, offering long-overdue relief to the former ABU staff and reinforcing the judiciary’s stance against institutional delays in the enforcement of justice.
By Bimbo Adenrele, Abuja
