The Federal Government of Nigeria has challenged the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court to entertain a suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank, Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on the ground that he was an employee of the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing of the suit in Abuja, lawyer to the Federal Government, Mr Fabian Ajogwu, in his preliminary objection argued that the proper place to determine the suit was the National Industrial Court which is statutorily empowered by law to resolve labour disputes.
Lawyers representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police, Mike Ozekhome and Solomon Umoh also objected to the hearing of the suit by the Federal High Court on the ground that the suit was highly contentious and adversarial, having arisen from an employer/employee dispute.
Lawyer to the suspended governor, Mr Kola Awodein, however, is asking the court to assume jurisdiction and determine the suit on its merit on the ground that the suit is not about a labour dispute, as the plaintiff was not an employee of the Federal Government notwithstanding the fact that the plaintiff was appointed by the Federal Government.
