The Presiding Judge of the Asaba Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Opeloye Ogunbowale, has ruled that the termination of Dr. Bakare’s employment by the American University of Nigeria (AUN) was wrongful.
The court found no valid justification for Dr. Bakare’s dismissal and stated that AUN’s actions were unjust, carrying a harmful stigma. As a result, the court awarded Dr. Bakare N5 million in damages for the wrongful termination and N500,000 to cover the cost of litigation.
Dr. Bakare had argued that his termination could only be valid if his appeal against the committee’s report, dated August 23, 2021, had been addressed. He claimed the forced termination resulted in financial losses, reputational damage, and missed opportunities. Dr. Bakare sought both reinstatement and compensation for the wages he would have earned had the termination not occurred.
On the other hand, AUN and its officials, including the Vice Chancellor, Governing Council, and Senate, argued that Dr. Bakare failed to prove the disciplinary procedures had been violated, and they called for the case to be dismissed.
In response, Dr. Bakare’s legal counsel, O. E. Ige Esq., emphasized that no misconduct had been proven against his client and that there was no such offense, “Unacceptable Conduct,” listed in the University’s Faculty or HR manuals.
After considering both sides, Justice Ogunbowale concluded that Dr. Bakare’s dismissal was unjust, as no misconduct had been established. Despite this, AUN proceeded with the termination. The court has directed AUN and its officials to pay the judgment amount of N5 million within 30 days.
