Five police officers from Akwa Ibom State, who were dismissed from service in 2007, have appealed to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Aniekan Bassey, and other members of the National Assembly from the state to intervene in their prolonged battle for reinstatement.
The former officers are also asking for the payment of salary arrears, allowances, and other entitlements dating back to 2007.
The affected officers — Sunday Okon, Anthony Ebong, Joseph Ede, Victor Ibe, and Uduak Sampson — were recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 2003 based on their trade qualifications. However, they were dismissed four years later on the grounds that they were allegedly illiterate.
According to the group, they challenged the dismissal in court after repeated appeals for redress failed. The matter was taken to the National Industrial Court, which in 2019 ruled in their favour and declared their dismissal unlawful.
The court reportedly ordered their immediate reinstatement into the ranks they would have attained had they not been dismissed, while also directing that all outstanding salaries, allowances, and entitlements from January 2007 until their reinstatement be paid.
Despite the judgment, the officers say the ruling has not been enforced years later, even though there was no appeal against the decision.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Victor Ibe expressed frustration over what he described as years of neglect and injustice, lamenting the hardship they and their families have endured since their dismissal.
He said several letters and appeals had been sent to successive authorities, including the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, but no concrete action had been taken.
The officers are now calling on Akwa Ibom’s representatives at the National Assembly to help ensure that the court judgment is obeyed and that justice is finally served.
They insist that their only demand is the enforcement of the court order and the restoration of their careers and entitlements.
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