By Angela Atabo
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), a Non Governmental Organization, has hailed the court judgment ordering the immediate reinstatement of Olamide Thomas, a registered nurse who was sacked for exposing corruption and other acts of misconducts at the Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese Ijebu.
Thomas had allegedly reported the theft of medical supplies and a power generator from the institution’s clinic, and also exposed an attempt to cover up the rape of a nursing student by a senior official — a case that eventually led to the prosecution of the official.
She was dismissed in 2023 by the Ogun State College of Health Technology allegedly over the revelation.
Thomas, through her counsel, Timothy Adewale, had challenged her dismissal, arguing that she was being victimised for exposing misconduct within the college.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. NICN/LA/125/2023 on Aug. 27, Justice S. A. Yelwa held that Thomas’ termination was “unlawful, unjust and unfair,” and directed the college and the
Ogun State Attorney-General to reinstate her without delay.
The court further ordered the defendants to pay all outstanding salaries, allowances and entitlements owed to Thomas from the date of her suspension to her reinstatement, as well as N5m as damages.
The court ruled that Olamide’s actions fell squarely within protected whistleblowing activities and that punishing her for them violated her rights.
Justice Yelwa emphasised that the court, as a court of law and equity, “would not fold its hands or close its eyes” to acts of victimisation, harassment, or intimidation of whistleblowers.
In a statement on Monday, Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the judgment which to us symbolises a massive blow to the horrible retaliation often initiated by employers against workers who dare to expose illegal practices in their organisations.
“The judgment is sound, well-reasoned and a morale booster and a remarkable verdict handed down by a courageous judge in spite of the absence of a protection law for whistleblowers in Nigeria.
“Coming at a time when the country has yet to enact a whistleblower protection law, the judgment will undoubtedly serve as a motivation for workers, and indeed everyone to engage in public interest whistleblowing.
“They can be assured of getting justice, like Thomas, when they face undue reprisals.”
He said following her dismissal, she sued the College and the Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
The coordination said the judgment was similar to the one delivered in March 2020 by Justice Oyejoju Oyewunmi in favour of Sambo Abdullahi of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc.
He said AFRICMIL urged other judges to emulate the judges who have shown faithfulness in their support for whistleblowers who report illegalities in the public interest.
Onumah said that AFRICMIL called on the defendants to promptly comply with the judgment of the court.
He urged the federal government to speed up the passage of a whistleblower protection law as “a necessary step towards achieving transparency and accountability, and minimising corrupt practices in the country.” – (NAN)
Source; PM News
