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Justice Ekwo of Court 6 of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed 7th October, 2021 to commence hearing of a perjury case against the President, Ecowas Commission, the Ecowas Community Court and two other staff of the Commission; Francisca Uzoamaka Ofor and Tony Anene Maidoh who were allegedly brought back to the service despite their attainment of retirement age as against the commission’s staff regulations rules.
Information available to our news desk confirmed that the action was filed through the Counsel to the plaintiff, Hassan G. Grema of H.G Grema and Co said his client was in court in view of the Article 61(a)(i) of the Ecowas Staff Regulation and Article 3(2) of Regulation C/REG.17/11/11 on the Establishment of the Ecowas Pension Scheme for staff of Ecowas institution to challenge the legality of the action of the President of the Commission who acted against the staff regulations by extending the appointment of Francisca Uzoamaka Ofor and Tony Anene Maidoh, stressing that the 1st and 2nd Defendants are liable for the offence of perjury having deliberately misled the 3rd and 4th defendant that their age at the time they retired is 62.
He further said the court will also determine whether or not Francisca Uzoamaka Ofor and Tony Anene Maidoh acted in good faith by misleading the 3rd and 4th defendants that their age at the time they retired is 62, on that premise deceived the 3rd and 4th defendants to fraudulently remain in the service of the commission beyond the statutory age of retirement provided for in Article 61(a)(i) of the Ecowas Staff Regulation and Article 3(2) of Regulation C/REG.17/11/11 on the Establishment of the Ecowas Pension Scheme for staff of Ecowas institution.
Mr. Hassan G.Grema said his client prayed the order of the court to declare the action of the President of the Commission invalid, as it is illegal for him to have extended their service time beyond the day of their retirement, urging the court to mandate the 3rd and 4th defendants to with immediate effect withdraw the letter of extension of appointment issued to 1st and 2nd defendants on the 5th December, 2020
He also sought an order of the court to restrain the 1st and 2nd defendants with immediate effect from acting as the Principal, Legal Services and Research and Chief Registrar with 3rd and 4th Defendants and for the two embattled staffs to be made to refund all monies, allowances and emolument which were paid to them by the 3rd and 4th defendants after they attained the mandatory retirement age of 62 and also remove them from the staff list of the commission.
Mr. Hassan G.Grema said in view of the in Article 61(a)(i) of the Ecowas Staff Regulation and Article 3(2) of Regulation C/REG.17/11/11 on the Establishment of the Ecowas Pension Scheme for staff of Ecowas institution, it is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional for the 1st and 2nd defendants to still remain in the service of the 3rd defendant after attaining 64 years of age which is against the staff regulations of the commission.
The case is expected to come up on the 7th October, 2021 at Court 6 in the Federal High Court, Abuja for commencement of hearing by Justice Ekwo.
