Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Court of Appeal orders the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately release ₦2.5 billion owed to 110 former Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) workers, dismissing fresh attempts to block payment nearly three decades after their dismissal.
In two unanimous judgments, a three-member panel rejects separate appeals filed by the CBN and ABU, describing them as meritless and obstructive.
Delivering the lead judgmen on Thursday, Justice Okon Abang warns that the apex bank faces severe sanctions if it continues to withhold funds deposited since 2018 for settlement of the judgment debt.
“CBN is not an advocate. Its duty is to obey and implement court judgments,” Abang says.
The court dismisses claims that the workers required the Attorney General’s consent before enforcing payment through garnishee proceedings. It affirms that the workers lawfully pursued the CBN to access funds already earmarked for them.
The case stems from the unlawful dismissal of the workers in 1996 by ABU’s sole administrator, a decision overturned by the National Industrial Court, which ordered their reinstatement and compensation.
Justice Abang criticises the CBN for wasting public funds on litigation designed to frustrate justice.
“This conduct prolonged the suffering of workers who have waited since 2013 for relief,” he says.
The court also censures ABU’s role in resisting enforcement, insisting the matter “must come to an end”.
In addition to the ₦2.5 billion, the Court of Appeal awarded ₦5 million each against the CBN and ABU as litigation costs payable to the workers.
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