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The court has exclusive jurisdiction in civil causes and matters relating to or connected with any labour, employment, trade unions, industrial relations and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service, including health, safety, welfare of labour, employee, worker and matter incidental thereto or connected therewith.

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Just In: Industrial Court dismisses suit against Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly


2195 Monday 20th January 2020


Owerri---The Presiding Judge, Owerri Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Galadima has dismissed the suit filed by Hon. Walter Uzonwanne against the Speaker, Imo State House Of Assembly and two others in its entirety for lacking merit.


The Court disagreed with the Hon. Walter on his claim for payment of salaries, allowances and emoluments accruable to his office as a member of the 7th Imo State House of Assembly from 29th May 2011 to 25th March 2015.


From facts, the Claimant alleged to be a member of the 7thHouse of the Imo State House of Assembly having being sworn in 3months to the expiration of his tenure caused by delay from litigation, sought for an order of the Court compelling the Speaker, clerk and Imo state House of Assembly to pay him all his accrued salaries for those 45 months, including emoluments, allowances and entitlements which ordinarily come with the office. 


The Defendants counter-claimed for refunds of all payments Hon. Walter received for the 3 months spent in office because INEC never gave any candidate return certificate thus presumably meaning he was sworn-in in error and deceit urged the Court to dismiss the claims as same are unjustified.


The Defendants’ asked for determination among others whether the Claimant is duly entitled to his salaries, allowances and emoluments having not worked for 45 months as a member of the 7th House due to litigation in Court?


In opposition, learned Counsel to the claimant argued that issues regarding whether the Claimant was duly and validly issued with a certificate of return are outside the scope and jurisdiction of the Court and this Court can only concern itself with whether the Claimant has proved his entitlements urged the court to dismiss the counter-claim. 


Delivering Judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Galadima held that the case relied on by the claimant does not apply to the instant suit.


“The crux of that suit is for claims by elected local government councillors of their entitlements whose tenure were illegally cut short by the State Government and during the period of litigation, their tenure elapsed, therefore, they were entitled to their payments. The situation in the instant suit may have been different if the Claimant was even returned as elected or sworn in before litigation commenced.” Justice Galadima ruled.