22nd January, 2013
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
Reprieve came the way of embattled former Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade John Ejoha Odah, who was suspended from office since June, 2011, as the National Industrial Court siting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered that he be recalled and reinstated not later than January 31 with his full rights, benefits and privileges appertaining to the office from June, 2011 up to the time of reinstatement paid in full.
Odah had dragged the NLC and its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and two others before the court on November, 2011, challenging the termination of his employment and seeking reinstatement with full benefits.
The President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo who presided over the matter prevailed the parties to settle the matter amicably.
The parties later came with terms of settlement which the court adopted as its judgment in the suit.
The terms of settlement jointly signed by all the parties stated that Odah would be deemed to have maintained unbroken record of service with the NLC since his employment in 1987 until his ultimate disengagement and that at his resumption in office, he should be given befitting welcome by congress with wide publicity.
The terms of settlement further stated that Odah will on the same day of resumption in office as General Secretary of NLC deliver his three months notice of voluntary retirement from service and on the same day proceed or deemed to have proceeded on retirement leave.
It further stated that the salaries and emolument as well as terminal benefits of Comrade Odah, with effect from June 2011 and up to and including the last day of his pre-retirement notice which shall be deemed to be his last day in office as General Secretary shall be paid and that the NLC shall arrange a befitting and widely publicized send forth party for him in appreciation of his services to the congress.
Upon tendering of his three months notice of voluntary retirement on the day of resumption as the General Secretary, he is to hand over the affairs of the office and any property of the Congress in his custody to any person designated or approved by the Congress.
The parties also agreed in the terms of settlement that February 1, 2013 shall be fixed for the performance of the act.