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LequteMan
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According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the ECOWAS Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday struck out a case filed against MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and six others by former members of staff of the company.
The case was brought before the court in February by Sigmund Bucknor, a former staff of MTN on behalf of 63 others, alleging wrongful termination of appointment in November 2009.
The applicants alleged that the termination of their employment with MTN Nigeria was “inhuman and unlawful”, adding that it was contrary to the terms of their agreement.
The presiding judge, Justice Hansine Donli, described the case as a labour dispute and thus was struck out because the court lacked the jurisdiction over labour matters.
She said “the facts and claims of the plaintiffs are key elements to consider but the labour disputes must be considered before rights issues.’’
She, however, added that jurisdiction over the case could be considered if parties submitted an agreement for such case to be heard.
The six other defendants in the case are Mrs Amina Ayagbola, the Human Resource Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr Akin Braithwaite, the Customer Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The minister of labour and productivity, the vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are also named as defendants.