Court grants Rivers prayer to appeal judgment in favour of sacked teachers

Court grants Rivers prayer to appeal judgment in favour of sacked teachers
Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal has granted Rivers State government’s motion seeking extension of time to appeal against the judgment of the National Industrial Court, which favoured some sacked teachers of demonstration schools in the state.

Counsel to the appellant (Rivers State Government), P Enebeli, a principal officer at the state Ministry of Justice, sought the leave of the court for a motion to appeal against the judgment of the industrial court.

The three-man panel of Court of Appeal Justices, led by Justice T.Y. Hassan, however, gave 14 days to the Rivers State government and Governor Nyesom Wike to appeal the judgment.

Recall that some teachers of the state owned secondary schools had dragged the state government to Industrial Court over alleged unpaid five years salaries and illegal sack from duty, which they eventually got judgment and the court directed the state government to pay and reinstate the sacked workers.

The sacked workers, who were present in court, through their counsel, Mark Barango, did not oppose the application by the state government.

However, Justice Hassan, who granted the motion filed by the counsel to the appellant, asked both parties to file their prayers and responses in 14 days, did not give an adjournment date.

Speaking with The Guardian outside the courtroom, Chairman of Rivers State Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Enefaa Goergewill, who led members of the organisation to the court, criticised the government for not fulfilling their obligation of protecting the people, instead of victimising them through the court.