The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), has been slammed with a fine of N1milliion for interference with the activities of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE).
Hon Justice B. B. Kanyip, President of the National Industrial Court (NIC), fined the CAC the amount as general damages, while delivering judgment in a matter between the commission and the union on Thursday, in Abuja.
AUPCTRE had challenged CAC at the industrial court over what it described as anti workers policies in the commission.
The union had approached the court for redress, accusing the Registrar General of CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, of unilaterally restricting staff vacancies contrary to the recommendations of the committee on the commission’s organogram.
AUPCTRE also accused Abubakar of barring certain categories of staff from writing promotion examination.
The union also accused the CAC boss of stopping loans, refusal to pay the 2019 promotion arrears to deserving workers and stoppage of salaries of workers without following due process at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, among others issues.
The union further stated that the registrar general had issued a circular dissolving the union and its leadership in CAC branch, and basing his action allegedly on a judgment between another union and AUPCTRE.
Kanyip in his ruling expressed displeasure of the NIC with CAC over the years for the commission’s gagging of trade unions since 2004.
According to the judge, the CAC has never hidden its dislike for trade union activities in the commission.
”Even when the industrial court ruled against it, the CAC always managed to come up with something new and different.
”It is in its own interest to come to terms with, and respect the laws governing it.
”Its dislike for trade unionism must cease. This court will not sit by and allow CAC do as it wishes.
”A word, they say, is enough for the wise,”Justice Kanyip stated.
The judge further ruled that CAC could not dissolve, regulate, supervise, inquire into, probe and interfere with the existence, running, finances and investment activities of AUPCTRE.
”CAC shall also pay AUPCTRE the sum of N1,000, 000.00 only, as general damages within 30 days, failing which will attract 10 per cent simple interest and N300,000 only, awarded as a cost.
Aluta News earlier reports that AUPCTRE had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari,
accusing the Registrar General of CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, of maladministration, reckless abuse of power, corruption, incompetence and lack of integrity, among others.
AUPCTRE explained that due to the maladministration and corruption in CAC, the union petitioned the CCB with substantial evidence against Abubakar, which the bureau acknowledged receipt.
the union was invited to defend its position; it did and was hoping that justice would be done,
According to the union, Abubakar continues to disregard the ethos and tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, other laws and international conventions.
The union expressed concerns that the Registrar General had not stopped his highhandedness, flagrant violation of Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), Abuse of power, corrupt practices without due regard to financial regulations in the running of CAC.
AUPCTRE urged the president to intervene and save CAC, employees and the country.