Court orders Daar Communications to pay Chidiebere Otegwu salary arrears, entitlements

KANO, Nigeria – The National Industrial Court, NICN, sitting in Ikoyi has ordered the Daar Communications, owner of African Independent Television, AIT, Raypower and Faaji Fm to pay a former staff, Chidiebere Otegwu all salary arrears including entitlements to the tune of N2.1 million.

Justice E. D. Isele, of the  Kano Judicial Division held that the refusal and failure of Daar Communications to pay Otegwu her salary arrears as well as other entitlements including accumulated unremitted Pensions since 2016 without reason is unfair, illegal and unlawful.

 The Court ordered Daar Communications to pay Chidiebere Otegwu the sum of N745,873, accrued salary arrears and accumulated unremitted pensions as at November 2016, and the sum of N78,148.62, accrued unremitted NHIS, and the sum of N13,024.85 and the sum of N800,000 and the sum of N500,000 as general damages within 30 days.

The judge averred that from facts, the claimant- Chidiebere Otegwu had submitted that he was in the employment of Daar Communications between the years 2009 – 2016 as an English Editor of the Company’s strategic business unit was posted to Kano sometime in February 2009 after being certified medical fit for the job.

“Mr Chidiebere averred that Daar Communications had not paid his salaries for 7 months as at the time he resigned as well as other entitlements, and all efforts to get his pay were to no avail.

“Despite service of hearing notices on the defendant- Daar Communication, it neglected to put up an appearance to defend the suit against it and Mr. Chidiebere testified and tendered exhibits.

In his judgement, the presiding Judge, Justice Isele held that Mr. Chidiebere Otegwu has proved his case substantially against the media firm as required by law and entered judgement in his favour.

Justice Isele also awarded the sum of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira as the cost of action against Daar Communications.