Supreme Court of Nigeria Overturns 1.07 Billion Naira Award to Former Kogi Deputy Governor

Court Ruling Overturns Previous Judgment

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered a final verdict in the legal battle between the Kogi State Government and former Deputy Governor Simon Achuba. In a unanimous decision, the apex court nullified the 1.07 billion naira award that had been granted to Achuba by the National Industrial Court.

Background of the Dispute

The legal conflict originated following the impeachment of Simon Achuba from his position as Deputy Governor of Kogi State in October 2019. Following his removal, Achuba initiated legal action against the state government, claiming he was owed significant arrears in salaries, allowances, and other financial entitlements. The National Industrial Court had initially ruled in his favor, ordering the state to pay the substantial sum.

Supreme Court Findings

The Kogi State Government appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Supreme Court. The apex court's decision to overturn the award was based on several legal considerations, including:

• The procedural handling of the impeachment process.
• The jurisdiction of the lower court to award such damages.
• The interpretation of statutory entitlements for a former deputy governor.

The Supreme Court concluded that the lower court erred in its judgment, effectively setting aside the financial award previously granted to the former deputy governor.

Conclusion

This ruling brings a definitive end to the long-standing litigation between Simon Achuba and the Kogi State Government. The decision reaffirms the state's position regarding the financial claims made following the 2019 impeachment, marking a significant conclusion to this high-profile political and legal matter in Nigeria.