Hon. Justice Olufunke Anuwe of the Abuja Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court has declared the failure of the Clerk of the National Assembly to pay Abed Anyadike the sum of N10,215,756.14 being the outstanding sum of his Salary and Allowances for the period of his appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Speaker, House of Representatives, from 2nd January 2013 to 29th May 2015 amounts to a breach of contract of employment.

The Court ordered the Clerk of the National Assembly to pay Mr Anyadike the sum of N10,215,756.14 being the outstanding sum of his Salary and Allowances for the period of his appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

From facts, the claimant- Mr Abed Anyadike had submitted that he was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives on the 2nd January 2013 by the Clerk of the National Assembly and his appointment was later formalized on the 11th September 2013 and he worked in that capacity until 29th May 2015, the expiration of the office of the then Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on 29th May 2015.

Mr. Anyadike averred that all efforts to recover his outstanding salary entitlement were to no avail and he has suffered deprivations and economic hardship as a result of the Clerk’s refusal to pay him the outstanding sum due to him.

Justice Anuwe stressed that in view of the terms of Mr Anyadike’s appointment letter, the defendant had no justification for failing to pay the claimant salaries and allowances accruing to the claimant before September 2013.

The Court affirmed that the Clerk of the National Assembly is indebted to Mr Anyadike for his salary and allowances for the said period, and the claimant has proved his claim in accordance with the law.

Lastly, Justice Anuwe awarded the sum of N500,000 in favour of the former aide as the cost of action.

Culled from dnllegal