Covenant University sacked employee to get N10.3 million as damages, terminal benefit

Abiodun OBA

A former employee of Covenant University, Dr Adekunle Oyeyemi, who was a senior lecturer, has been awarded the sum of N10.3 million as general damages, terminal benefit, and salary.

The National Industrial Court judge, Justice Ayodele Obaseki-Osaghae, delivered the judgement on Thursday.

Justice Ayodele Obaseki-Osaghae declared that the termination of the claimant’s employment was wrongful and in breach of the contract of his employment.

The court ordered the payment of N8.2 million as the equivalent of his 24-month salary as general damages and also the sum of N1.7 million as terminal benefits and N344,635 being salary in lieu of notice, to be paid within 30 days.

According to Obaseki-Osaghae, the university’s unilateral review of the claimant’s employment conversion to Senior Lecturer was wrongful.

“The words with ‘immediate effect’ have the effect of stigmatization.

“The termination of the claimant’s employment is wrongful and not in accordance with international best practices.” the judge ordered.