By Doyin Ojosipe
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on Monday 24, June, refused to grant an application for stay of proceedings in the case filed by a whistleblower, Abdullahi Sambo, against the MD/CEO of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trade Plc (NBET), Dr Marilyn Amobi and four others.
Hon. Justice Kiyersohot Damulak refused the application brought by counsels representing Dr. Amobi and NBET in the suit filed by Sambo, former Head of Internal Audit at NBET, seeking to stop plans to his sack and continuous victimization in the organization. The defendants had appealed an advice by the judge asking both parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive at the trial court.
However, in his ruling on the matter of stay of proceedings, the judge said the motion for stay cannot be moved orally. He therefore, ordered counsel for the defendants, Olayinka Arasi, to make a formal application to the court. The case was adjourned till July 15.
Sambo, Abdullahi, a former head of the Internal Audit at NBET had initially queried an alleged fraudulent move by Dr Marilyn Amobi reasoning that transactions made by her on behalf of the organisation violates extant circulars, Financial Regulations and agreement duly executed by NBET.
He queried an alleged 7.5million naira payment to one Engr Achinaya, a monthly over-invoicing of N2billion naira to Olorunsogo and Omotosho Power plants and 30 million naira to Azinge & Azinge and Aelex law firms to mention a few.
Angered by the Auditor’s queries, the NBET MD, called for Abdullahi’s redeployment to another department and allegedly ensured his salaries are withheld since December 2017.
In a bid to challenge continuous intimidation by the MD, the embattled whistleblower had approached the industrial court who ordered that both Complainant and Defendant maintain the status quo until determination of the case.
