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West Africa Secondary School proprietors dragged to court

Jul 1, 2011, 12:09 PM | Article By: Yusuf Ceesay

Nguakem Nkemngu, ex-employer of West Africa Secondary School (WASS), recently instituted a claim of wrongful termination of his services against the defendants, Eleme C. Humble and Bakary Ceesay before the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal.

Mr Nkemngu’s claim was for D155,550 for damages from the defendants for wrongful termination of his employment and an interest of 25% and cost.

However, the defendants denied the liability.

The particulars of the claim had it that at all material time the plaintiff was a teacher of West Africa Secondary School whilst the defendants are proprietors of the said school.

Nkemngu claimed that he signed a 2-year contract with the proprietors of the school, which took effect from 1 October 2008.

The plaintiff further claimed that in September 2010, there was a change of ownership and management of West African Foundation and the school was handed over to the defendants, who became its new proprietors and decided to run a separate and distinct entity, known as WASS – West African Secondary School.

According to the claims, the plaintiff confirmed all his usual duties in the school until 31 December 2010 when the defendants, by a letter, terminated the plaintiff’s employment without notice or payment of any salary in lieu of notice.

The plaintiff finally claimed that the termination of his employment by the defendants in the circumstances was wrongful, adding that he had suffered loss and damages.

The chairman of the tribunal, Magistrate Clement Ngube, adjourned the case till 6 July 2011.