konknaijaboy | On 20, May 2013

Just when the; “I DON PORT” fever is almost taking over the Nigerian Telecoms industry and all Telecoms company doing everything possible to out-do one another. MTN Communications Nigeria Limited now finds itself in a Human Right Violation mess.

The news broke on May 20, 2013 at about 6.45pm Nigerian time and its already spreading like wild fire across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

The South African Telecommunication giants will appear before the COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS Court) Abuja on June 17, 2013.

Also, to appear individually as defendants are the HR Executive; Mrs Amina Oyagbola and CR Executive; Mr Akin Braithwaite. Other defendants are the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister for Labour and Productivity.

This is as a result of the inhuman and unlawful termination of employment of 65 young Nigerians in November 17, 2009 contrary to the company’s Human Resources Policy, Process and Procedure and also contrary to the terms of engagement without following due process.

A notice of Registration of Application dated February 26, 2013 with Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/07/13 was served the Defendants by THE ECOWAS COURT with the heading; IN THE COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) HOLDEN AT ABUJA, NIGERIA. The content of the notice states;

“NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Application between SIGIMUND BUCKNOR and 63 ORS (APPLICANTS) AND MTN NIGERIA COMMUNICATION LTD & 6 ORS (DEFENDANTS) was lodged by the Applicant and registered by the Court on the 25th day of February, 2013.

You are required to lodge a defence within thirty days after service of this Application on you and take notice that in default of your so doing, the Applicant may proceed herein and judgement may be given in your absence”.

The defendants/Respondents are the following;

- The Managing Director, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd
- Amina Oyagbola (Human Resources Executive, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd)
- Akin Braithwaite (Customer Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd)
- The Federal Republic of Nigeria c/o Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Justice.
- Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Justice.The Federal Republic of Nigeria
- The Minister For Labour and Productivity, Office of the Minister for Labour and Productivity, The Federal Republic Of Nigeria
- The Executive Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria Communication Commission, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The affected staff claimed of not given a fair hearing before the inhuman act which was carried out without notice and with no reasons stated on their individual withdrawal letters.

Information also has it that one of the affected staff; a female was still mourning the death of her husband which occurred three months earlier. Other affected staff were promoted, salary reviewed upwardly with letters of commendation two months before the November 2009 lay off while few others were either on essential duties, study leave and maternity leave.

Our reliable source confirmed that MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd wil be represented by Aluko & Oyebode Chambers while the 65 affected Staff will be represented by a Lagos based Law Firm; AAA Chambers.

The Committee on Public Petition – NASS Abuja, Nigeria in a gazette dated January 17, 2013 had since condemned the way and manner the lay off was carried out by MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd

Related news:

MTN Nigeria Lays Off 65 Employees

The falsehood of Akin Braithwaite: The Customer Relations Executive of MTN

Aggrieved workers threaten to shut down MTN call centres

NLC seals MTN call centre in Jos for ‘shortchanging staff’

Insecurity forces CNSSL to shut MTN call centre in Jos

Nigeria: PDP Wants MTN Licence Revoked

Sacked workers demand three years pay from MTN

Lagos Law Firm Sues MTN Over Unjustifiable Sack of 65 Workers

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Group Threatens to Sue MTN over Poor Services

EFCC quizzes Pascal Dozie, four other MTN directors over alleged fraud

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