The National Industrial Court in Lagos has ruled that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) must reinstate Mr Bamisaye Olutola, a former lecturer whose employment was terminated in July 2021 following an allegation of sexual harassment.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Ikechi Nweneka, the court declared that Olutola’s dismissal violated due process and was, therefore, unlawful. The judge affirmed that Olutola’s appointment as Lecturer II remained valid and subsisting, countering UNILAG’s assertion that his employment had been properly terminated.
The court criticised the university’s indefinite suspension of Olutola, ruling it as procedurally flawed and a breach of his employment rights.
Olutola had approached the court seeking declarations that his over four years of continuous service at UNILAG had confirmed his appointment and that his dismissal was invalid without adherence to established disciplinary protocols. He further sought reinstatement along with his full entitlements.
Justice Nweneka agreed with his submissions, ruling that his appointment stood confirmed under employment law, given his uninterrupted tenure. The court faulted UNILAG for failing to follow the statutory procedures required in disciplinary actions.
In addition to ordering his immediate reinstatement, the court directed UNILAG to pay all outstanding salaries and allowances owed to Olutola from August 2021 to date and to continue remitting his pay as a staff member going forward.
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Specifically, the court stated: “The Defendant is hereby ordered to reinstate the Claimant to his position and employment without loss of seniority, promotion, or emoluments. The Defendant shall pay the Claimant his full salary and allowances from August 2021 until today and continue to pay his salary thereafter.”
Additionally, the court granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the University, its agents, or privies from unlawfully interfering with Olutola’s employment in the future.
As part of its ruling, the National Industrial Court in Lagos has ordered the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to pay ₦750,000 to Mr Bamisaye Olutola to cover the legal costs of his lawsuit challenging his dismissal.
Justice Ikechi Nweneka directed that the university must fully comply with the judgment within 30 days. Should UNILAG fail to meet this deadline, the monetary awards will begin to accrue interest at a rate of 10 percent per annum starting from August 15, 2024, until the entire sum is settled.
While Olutola had sought a post-judgment interest rate of 20 percent per annum, the court declined the request, stating that he had not provided sufficient grounds to justify such a high rate. Justice Nweneka explained that under Order 47 Rule 7 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2017, the court is authorised to impose a minimum interest rate of 10 percent per annum on outstanding judgment debts.
The judge ruled that this statutory interest rate would take effect from August 15, 2025, if UNILAG fails to pay the full judgment sum by the stipulated compliance date.