The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure has begun hearing a ₦100 million lawsuit filed by a former Territory Manager of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. NtimaAnya, who has accused the company of wrongful and inhumane termination of his employment. The case, which came up on Tuesday before Justice K. D. Damulak, also lists Mr. Moshood Adejoro, Anya’s former Line Manager, as a co-defendant.
Through his counsel, Mr. Samuel Nmesi, Anya told the court that his dismissal on 30 October 2020 was unlawful, biased, and driven by personal vendetta. He alleged that the termination process breached labour regulations and caused him severe health and emotional distress.
“My client suffered not only career damage but also life-threatening health complications as a result of the company’s actions,” Nmesi told the court while presenting 36 documentary exhibits.
The documents — including medical reports, internal company emails, and commendation letters — were admitted as evidence. The case was adjourned to 27 November for cross-examination by Guinness Nigeria’s counsel, Mr. Ade Abioye.
In his testimony, Anya stated that despite submitting a medical report from Olanrewaju Hospital, Ilorin, which indicated dangerously high blood pressure, Guinness allegedly denied him both sick and annual leave. Instead, he claimed, he was compelled to work during the COVID-19 lockdown and pressured to sell nearly expired Dubic Malt products — a move he described as unethical and hazardous to public health.
Anya further told the court that he was publicly humiliated when his official assets were confiscated and that he was forced to sign his termination letter at a distributor’s outlet in Ilorin.
“I was not given any exit clearance or proper orientation after nearly ten years of service,” he said, adding that the ordeal worsened his medical condition, which has since affected his eyesight.
He also alleged that Guinness refused to provide adequate medical care, saying he was discharged from the hospital the same day his appointment was terminated. He described the company’s dismissal process as a “clear case of corporate intimidation and abuse of power.”
Among the exhibits tendered were his medical records, ECG scans, commendation letters, salary reviews, corporate awards from 2019 and 2020, and a death certificate of his mother — whom he claimed died because he could no longer afford her medication after losing his job.
Anya’s counsel also cited a similar 2023 judgment by the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, in which another former staff member, Mr. Bright Nwosu, reportedly won a wrongful dismissal case against Guinness Nigeria.
“This case is not only about justice for one man but about ending a recurring pattern of employee mistreatment within the organisation,” Nmesi argued.
The defence counsel, Mr. Abioye, is expected to cross-examine the claimant when the hearing resumes on 27 November.
