The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Ekiti State Government to pay all outstanding entitlements owed to former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Alhaji Dr Sikiru Tae Lawal.
The court ruled that the state must settle his unpaid monthly stipends, severance allowance, gratuity, and other benefits as provided under the law. It also awarded him an additional N10 million in damages.
Dr Lawal served as Deputy Governor under former Governor Segun Oni in October 2010, before the Court of Appeal later nullified the election and declared Kayode Fayemi as governor.
In his case, Lawal argued that he was denied his entitlements after leaving office despite not being removed through impeachment. He also claimed that while his principal, Segun Oni, received his benefits, he was unfairly excluded.
Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeboro Adamson, Lawal asked the court to declare the refusal to pay him unlawful under the Ekiti State Pensions Law (2012), including its amendments in 2014 and 2015.
He filed the suit against the Ekiti State Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the state government, seeking an order for the payment of all arrears from October 15, 2010, along with N100 million in general damages.
However, the state government opposed the claim, arguing through its counsel, Gbemiga Adaramola, that Lawal was not entitled to benefits because the election that brought him into office had been nullified by the Court of Appeal. The government also maintained that it did not pay similar benefits to Segun Oni.
In his judgment, Justice E.D. Subilim dismissed the state’s objections and ruled that the refusal to pay Lawal was unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and not justified under the law.
The court ordered the Ekiti State Government to immediately calculate and pay all outstanding entitlements due to Lawal, including arrears dating back to October 15, 2010.
The judge also directed that all further statutory payments be made as required by law and added that a 10% annual interest would apply to the judgment sum until it is fully paid.