Airtel Charged with N165.98M Over a Wrongful Termination Case

The NICN has come to a verdict as they ordered Airtel Network Limited to pay N165,986,419.98 in a wrongful dismissal case of Mr. Abdul-Hakeem A. Olasewere.

“All the sums of money due and payable under this Judgment shall be paid with interest at the rate of 20 per cent yearly from the date of this Judgment until final liquidation.”

Justice J. D. Peters

“The termination was accentuated by malice, pre-meditated and a deliberate attempt and machination to oust any possible likely successor to the office of the CEO in the event of the impending expiration of his contract of employment.”

Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, Counsel of Olasewere

“I declare that the termination of the employment of the Claimant by the Defendant is wrongful and without any justifiable basis. I award the sum of N100m only as exemplary damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant. I award to the Claimant his two years salary in the sum of N60million as general damages for the wrongful termination of his employment without justifiable basis. I award and order the Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of N1million as cost of this action.
The Claimant/Defendant to the counter claim is ordered to pay to the Counter-Claimant the sum of N4,986,419.98 being the outstanding balance due to the Counter-claimant on Vehicle Purchase Loan.

All the sums of money due and payable under this Judgment both to the Claimant and the Counter claimant shall be paid with interest at the rate of 20 per cent yearly from the date of this Judgment until final liquidation.

This Judgment shall be complied with immediately.”

Justice J. D. Peters