The National Industrial Court in Lagos on Tuesday fixed May 17 to hear a suit by an ex employee of Newswatch Times Ltd, against the media outfit, over unpaid salary.
The claimant, Francis Iwuchukwu, had dragged Newswatch Times Ltd (former Newswatch Newspapers Ltd), before the court, over unpaid seven months salaries.
The date was fixed for hearing after the claimant had regularized his processes before the court.
In his statement of fact filed by his counsel, Yemi Omodele, Iwuchukwu averred that he was employed by way of a letter of appointment dated October 1, 2012, by the defendant.
He averred that Newswatch did not issue a letter of confirmation of his appointment, after being qualified for same in spite constant demands for it.
He said that he was only told at the registry of Newswatch that “you have been employed, carry on with your work.”
Iwuchukwu averred that upon noticing the indifferent attitude of the defendant’s management to its workers’ welfare especially the non payment of outstanding salaries, he tendered a letter of resignation on May 28, 2015.
He averred “that in spite of his constant visits and demand for his outstanding salaries, the defendant refused and neglected to pay same.
“This refusal prompted the claimant counsel, Mr Yemi Omodele to write a letter dated Aug. 17, 2015 to the defendant demanding for the payment of all outstanding salaries of the claimant,” he averred.
According to the Plaintiff, the defendant claimed that it deducted some money and remitted it to Leadway Pension Ltd, which claim the plaintiff said was false.
The plaintiff added that he visited the office of the Leadway Pension Ltd and requested for a copy of his retirement savings account statement, and was shocked to realise that the defendant did not pay a kobo to the said company.
Iwuchukwu stated that the defendant’s action was fraudulent and constitute a clear intention to defraud, adding that he had suffered great loss due to non payment of his seven months salary.
The claimant prayed the court to declared that he is entitled to be paid salary for the months of October, November, December 2014, as well as January, February, March and April 2015.
He also sought an order declaring Newswatch action as a breach of trust and a wilful intention to defraud him.
Iwuchukwu also sought an order, directing the defendant, its servants, agents and or privies to pay forthwith the sum of N700, 000.00 to him, being salaries for the months in arrears.
He further sought an order, directing the defendant, to pay 21 per cent interest on the sum, until judgment is delivered and executed.
However, the defendants were yet to enter a defence.
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