Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North) has lambasted the recent dismissal of 317 employees from the Central Bank of Nigeria, urging the Senate to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, Nwoko condemned the abruptness of the sackings, underscoring the necessity for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding them.
He alleged that the apex bank proceeded with the terminations without consulting relevant stakeholders, including labour unions.
“The Senate should mandate its committees on Employment, Labour and Productivity, as well as that of Public Service Matters, to investigate the terminations.
“The committees should focus on the rationale behind the action, compliance with labour laws, and the broader socio-economic impact of the exercise,” he said.
Further elucidating, Nwoko stated, “Between March 15 and April 11, 2024, the CBN sacked 117 staff members. On May 24, the CBN sacked an additional 200 staff members, bringing the total number to 317.”
He continued, “From my findings, those mostly affected were directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers and some lower workers.”
“The letters issued to the affected staff, including one dated May 24, from the Human Resources Department, cited the need to reorganise the organisation for effective operations, as the reason for the sack.”
“The letter had no further details. It did not offer specific reasons for the dismissal of each staff member.”
Expressing concerns that the principles of fairness and justice may have been overlooked, Nwoko emphasised the potential adverse impact of the sudden dismissals on the economic stability of the workers’ families.
Efforts to solicit a response from the CBN regarding Nwoko’s allegations proved unsuccessful. However, a reliable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed recent layoffs at the apex bank, declining to provide further details.
Impeccable sources within the bank corroborated the sackings on Friday, May 24, confirming that the number of dismissed employees was no fewer than 200.
