The National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to reinstate two of its staff, Mohammed Mustapha and Fehintola Salisu into the service as associate Directors with payment of Salaries, allowances and all entitlements from June 2021 till date.

The Presiding Judge of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Court, Justice Rakiya Haastrup held that the process leading to the dismissal of Mr Mohammed Mustapha and Ms. Fehintola Salisu was done in breach of due process and a violation of the rule of law.

The claimants; Mr Mustapha and Ms. Fehintola told the Court that their dismissal was done in contravention of the law, and due process; and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

In defense, the NFIU maintained that the dismissal was done in line with the recommendation by the Appointments, Promotions, and Discipline Committee constituted by the executive director of the agency to investigate various allegations levelled against them.

In its considered judgment, presiding judge, Justice Rakiya Haastrup held that since NFIU did not have any condition of service in existence, the provision of the Public Service Rules (PSR) is applicable in the discipline of Mohammed Mustapha and Fehintola Salisu, and under the PSR, it is the Federal Civil Service Commission that could take a disciplinary action against them, while the executive director of the agency only had the power to initiate the process.