BIPC Responds To Its Ex-MD Claims
By Emmanuel Antswen
The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has filed its defence in a suit instituted by the company’s ex-managing director, Mr Alex Adum, at the National Industrial Court, Makurdi.
When the case came up for mention on Friday in Makurdi, counsel to BIPC, Mr Nathans Gwebe, told the court that they have filed their defence.
Gwebe said that the claimant and other defendants have been duly served.
According to him, all counsels agreed that the court processes be regularised and the case allowed to progress.
He said the claimant has no case against the defendants and that they have responded to the complaint of the claimant point by point.
Gwebe averred that the claimant had, on 30th June, 2020, during an emergency board meeting and the 97th board meeting of the company held March 30, 2023, approved the purchase of official cars for some management staff.
He told the court that on April 17, 2023, the claimant and others were paid N142.4 million for official cars, adding that the claimant collected N65.8 million from the said amount.
He said the claimant, upon his appointment, was placed on a GL 14 salary, and his gross monthly salary was N481,538.54, while his net monthly salary was N252,208.16 and not the figures he mentioned in his complaint.
He said only staff on the payroll of the company were entitled to salary and allowances, and explained that since the claimant was no longer their staff, he cannot enjoy such benefits.
He said the claimant, before his removal from office, collected certain allowances upfront, which they would be asking the court for a refund.
He said they would provide more details during their defence.
NAN reports that Adum had dragged the defendants before the court, challenging his illegal removal from office and the refusal of the defendants to pay his entitlements.
The plaintiff told the court that the defendant appointed him on 20th August 2019 as the managing director and chief executive officer of BIPC for a statutory term of 5 years.
He claimed that the defendants, however, on 1st June, 2023, through a correspondence from the Secretary to the State Government, removed him from office without due process.
Adum told the court that the defendant has refused to pay his salary, allowances and severance gratuity as contained in his condition of service.
He said the defendants owed him N23.7 million in salary and allowances for the remaining 15 months of his term and severance gratuity of N1.5 million.
He further stated that he was entitled to an official car (SUV) to be either purchased or monetised, but he was not given it and urged the court to compel the defendants to pay him N130.7 million for the car.
The plaintiff also asked for N5 million for the cost of litigation, special damages of N5 million, general damages of N20 million and 20 per cent interest on the judgement debt from the judgement until the entire amount was paid.
The presiding judge, Justice David Isele, adjourned the case to 27th May for hearing. NAN
