Court affirms dismissal of three policemen sacked over ‘$5000 bribe’

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has affirmed the dismissal of three policemen who were fired for receiving a $5,000 bribe.

Joseph Okan, Joshua Madami, who were inspectors, and Cyprian Nwankwo, a sergeant, had approached the court to challenge their dismissal by the inspector-general of police.

Ginika Chinemere, counsel to the police officers, had asked the court to reinstate his clients to the force and demanded N500 million as damages.

In her judgement on Monday, Rakiya Haastrup, the judge, ruled that there was no evidence before the court brought by the claimants to support their claim of unlawful dismissal.

The judge said the inability of the policemen to tender their employment letters was detrimental to their case.

“From the totality of evidence adduced by the claimants, they failed to prove their employment with the defendant, the terms and conditions also regulating their employment,’ Haastrup said.

“Also how the defendants have breached the said terms and conditions of employment, which is now left to speculation and which is unacceptable in law.”

The judge said the law required that a party who alleged unlawful termination of employment must establish his case.

She said it was the responsibility of the claimants to prove their unlawful dismissal, before they can be entitled to the reliefs they sought.

Haastrup said the prayers sought by the claimants in the suit failed in its entirety and dismissed the suit.