Court Orders Space Research Agency To Pay Unpaid Salaries To Employee Since 2018

The Court ordered the National Space Research & Development Agency and Ministry of Science Technology & Innovation to pay Mr Gidado all his monthly salaries/wages and entitlements from the commencement of his employment in August 2018 till date.

Justice Namtari awarded the sum of N2,664,000.00 Mr Gidado’s salary for one year as damages against the National Space Research & Development Agency and Ministry of Science Technology & Innovation, and all payments to be effected within 30 days.

From facts, the Claimant- Mr. Ibrahim Gidado had submitted that following the commencement of his appointment with the National Space Research & Development Agency effective 01/08/2018 and the subsequent confirmation letter dated 22/12/2020, the agency has refused to pay his monthly salaries despite repeated complaints.

Mr Gidado maintained that on 01/06/2022, he was notified of Re-Designation to Administrative Officer II by the National Space Research & Development Agency on the ground that the appropriate entry rank is Administrative Officer II, and by a letter of promotion dated 13/04/2023, he was promoted to the rank of Administrative Officer I and commended for the spirit of commitment to duties.

Mr Gidado averred that he was always informed to be patient for payment of accrued salaries, and despite the agency’s refusal to pay my monthly salaries, he continued to work dutifully for the Space agency.

However, the defendants- National Space Research & Development Agency and Ministry of Science Technology & Innovation failed, refused or neglected to file any Counter Affidavit or make any representation on the matter despite the avalanche of hearing notices.

Mr. Gidado Learned Counsel, A. A. HIKIMA Esq posited that his client’s employment with the National Space Research & Development Agency being statutory, permanent and pensionable, his client’s salaries/wages became due from the effective month of appointment in August 2018 and the subsequent months thereafter, and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.

In a well-considered judgment, the Presiding Judge, Justice Mahmood Namtari stated that the absence of evidence by the Defendant does not absolve Mr. Gidado of the burden of proof placed on him by law.

Relying on the evidence tendered before the Court, the Court held that these Exhibits are prove that Mr Gidado is an employee of the 1st Defendant and therefore entitled to his salaries from 1st August 2018.

Justice Namtari stated that the letters from the Public Complaint Commission and Mr Gidado’s Solicitors clearly prove the salaries and entitlements of Mr Gidado remained unpaid.