The National Industrial Court on Wednesday commenced the trial of the alleged wrongful of Mr Samuel Atoi, Deputy Bursar, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi.
Atoi joined the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and Provost, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, Ebonyi, as co-defendants.
The case had suffered several hitches because the defendants failed to enter appearance in the suit.
Justice Peter Lifu after stating his displeasure at their repeated absence since the beginning of the suit said that hearing in the suit would commence on June 2.
Lifu also ordered that hearing notices be served personally on the three defendants.
The claimant’s counsel, Mr Obiayi Echefule, prayed the court to reinstate his client to his position, arguing that the suspension was done in an unconstitutional manner.
Echefule argued that there was no fair hearing, and maintained that the college allegedly suspended his client on unproven grounds of financial impropriety and mismanagement of funds.
The claimant was accused of opening an imprest account for the college to use easily and also accused of overpaying the college provost’s salary after being given laid down rules for payment.
The counsel said his client had been wrongfully and illegal suspended since Dec. 2012 and would need speedy facilitation of all court processes to restore him to his position. (NAN)