The Court of Appeal has reserved its ruling on a motion seeking to introduce fresh evidence in the case involving a N2.5 billion debt owed to 110 disengaged staff members of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
The appellants include the ABU management, the Minister of Education, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, while the respondents are the affected former employees.
A three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed adjourned indefinitely after hearing arguments from both parties.
The case stems from the termination of 110 ABU staff members in 1996. Despite multiple recommendations for their reinstatement, the institution failed to act, prompting legal action in 2012. A 2015 ruling ordered their reinstatement and payment of entitlements amounting to N2.5 billion.
Non-compliance with the court order led to a garnishee order on the university’s bank accounts in 2017. However, ABU management later filed for a stay of proceedings, citing an appeal filed in 2018.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in 2021, reaffirming the lower court’s ruling. In January 2024, the National Industrial Court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to settle the outstanding debt.
The latest hearing focused on ABU’s request to introduce fresh documentary evidence, a move strongly opposed by the counsel for the disengaged staff. The court has now reserved its ruling on the matter.
