The National Industrial Court in Kaduna has hit St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital and the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna with a landmark ruling, ordering them to pay three staff members all salary arrears owed since 2020.
Presiding Judge Bashar Alkali declared that Mr. Sunday John, Ms. Margaret Eleoba, and Mr. Ishaku remain valid employees of the hospital, noting that their indefinite suspension without pay was unlawful. The court ruled the hospital must continue paying their monthly salaries until any lawful termination is processed.
The employees had been suspended in August 2020 without formal queries or explanations, despite being ready to resume work. The suspension left them unpaid for over four years, causing severe financial hardship.
The hospital had argued the staff were under investigation for alleged misconduct and thus not entitled to pay. But the court found this violated the hospital’s own Staff Handbook, which allows only temporary suspension.
Justice Alkali emphasized that suspension is not a termination and that employees are entitled to benefits unless officially dismissed. He ruled the prolonged suspension was a clear breach of contract and unfair labour practice.
The court awarded:
- Mr. Sunday John: N6.8 million
- Ms. Margaret Eleoba: N8.2 million
- Mr. Ishaku: N3.7 million
- Legal costs: N1 million
The hospital must settle all payments within 30 days.
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