Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave - Career - NigeriaWelcome, Guest: Register / Login / With Google / Trending / Recent / New Stats: 3,279,936 members, 8,232,469 topics. Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025 at 12:52 AM Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave - Career - Nairaland Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Career / Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave (9264 Views) Ogechi Sylvia Eze; UK - Based Nigerian Medical Doctor Considers Returning Home, / Oando Graduate Accelerated Program (GAP) 2019 / Oando Sacks 100 Workers (2) (3) (4) (1) (2) (Reply) (Go Down) Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by BlackViper: 2:08pm On Aug 12 Hon. Justice Anthonia Ubaka of the Lagos Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court has declared the termination of one Oladunni’s employment as contained in the OANDO PLC letter dated 26th June 2014 as wrongful. The Court ordered OANDO PLC to pay Oladunni three (3) months’ salary in lieu of notice in the sum of N1, 205, 186. 41, the sum of N2,772,701.47 being Gratuity / End of service payment and the sum of N500,000 cost of action within 30 days. From facts, the claimant- Oladunni had submitted that while awaiting the HR feedback following her return from Study leave, she proactively held meetings with some Executives of the Group Office and some Subsidiaries as advised by the Group HR for possible consideration and that it was in the course of her awaiting HR reabsorption that she was served the wrongful termination letter. Oladunni stated that she did not at any time act in breach of the terms expressed or implied in her employment with OANDO, and her purported termination was wrongful, and that she was treated unjustly and not given an option to resign honourably from the company after 10years of meritorious service. In defence, the defendant- OANDO PLC averred that Oladunni failed to return to the office upon the expiration of her approved l-year study leave, neither did she request for an extension of same but merely expressed her desire for re-absorption with the intention of combining her job with her studies, which is contrary to the company’s operational model and would not have been approved, assuming the Claimant Officially applied to do so. OANDO PLC stressed that the company was not obliged to give Oladunni a 3 months’ notice of termination of employment as the requirement did not apply to Oladunni whose name had been suspended from the Company’s payroll and database effective from when her study leave commenced and that the employment of Oladunni was not wrongfully terminated as claimed, but rather terminated in line with the provisions of the Staff Handbook. In opposition, the Oladunni’s counsel, Opeyokun Esq stated that Oladunni returned to the company after the expiration of the thirteen (13) months leave and she did not in any way violate the provisions of the OANDO’s staff Handbook guiding her employment as there was no need to request for an extension as she was technically done with her studies but for the ASUU strike which delayed the defending of her project, and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought. In a well-considered judgment, the Presiding Judge, Justice Anthonia Ubaka, agreed with Oladunni’s counsel that the OANDO PLC was in breach of the expressed terms of the contract when it failed to issue Oladunni with notice and yet failed to make a payment in lieu of the said notice as at the date when the relationship was severed. The Court held that by the OANDO’s handbook, reabsorption after study leave is not automatic, and Oladunni failed to write for an extension when she could not complete her studies. “I hereby hold that the defendant is to pay the claimant 3 months’ salary in lieu of notice of the said termination in the sum of N1, 205, 186. 41 being calculation as per annexure 2 attached to exhibit FO26 and the claimant’s calculation in paragraph 18 of the statement of fact.” The Court ruled. https://thenigerialawyer.com/no-notice-given-court-orders-oando-to-pay-n4-5m-after-firing-employee-returning-from-study-leave/ 3 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by lordm(m): 2:16pm On Aug 12 Hmm. That's small money for oando . They should pay and avoid stress 12 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by NaijaCover(m): 2:40pm On Aug 12 Mr Blogger Is Following the thread to know the situation of the matter (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by WickedAfonja: 2:40pm On Aug 12 Since 2014? The money should be calculated for inflation to reflect current day realities which is around N40m thanks to Tinubu 27 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Adebaba1(m): 2:41pm On Aug 12 It's a small amount It should be more He should be well compensated 5 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by CuteTj(m): 2:41pm On Aug 12 Did I see 2014?? That is waiting too long to get justice!! 2 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by dwaynewhite12: 2:42pm On Aug 12 That is the best judgement so farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by cunny88(m): 2:43pm On Aug 12 Oando will likely appeal the decision to delay justice. However the lady will now be seen an employment risk by new employers given her penchant for dragging employers to court. 5 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Ofunaofu: 2:43pm On Aug 12 lordm: Hmm. That's small money for oando . They should pay and avoid stress Especially now that they have become so profitable, owing to the fact that Tinubu ensured the company got juicy oil blocks and deals. 2 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Christ4ever: 2:44pm On Aug 12 The money is too paltry. Corporate organizations should support the growth of their employees both on paper and in the spirit of the letters. A friend of mine who worked with First Bank was also not absolved after returning from study leave. The excuse they gave him was that re-absorption is not automatic. They didn't fire him but guy man was left "hanging" for almost 2 years The guy was frustrated and eventually Japa to UK. 7 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by brain54(m): 2:44pm On Aug 12 Some lawyers know their clients won't win their case... But what to do... lawyer too must wack! 2 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Semil(m): 2:47pm On Aug 12 That is a good news but I believe Oando can pay more than that. It's well 1 Like (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by crusufixo(m): 2:50pm On Aug 12 For the length of time it took to get a ruling, this money is waaay!!!! to small. Infact, it is next to nothing....just 4m. Oando would throw this money at them without even blinking an eye and would move on... (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by lordm(m): 2:50pm On Aug 12 Ofunaofu: Especially now that they have become so profitable, owing to the fact that Tinubu ensured the company got juicy oil blocks and deals. ibo people. You must drag Tinubu into everything. Can't you comment without making it political. ? 1 Like (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by motionarena: 2:50pm On Aug 12 Small price to pay compared to how bandit Labor Party has looted the economy (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Ajalalomo: 2:53pm On Aug 12 What a judgement? The 4 million naira fine is on the low side. This company get away with justice. (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by FreeStuffsNG: 2:55pm On Aug 12 WickedAfonja: Since 2014? The money should be calculated for inflation to reflect current day realities which is around N40m thanks to Tinubu Will she refund Oando with interest for the one year study leave too? She's been using that certificate to work elsewhere since 2014 23 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by lordm(m): 2:56pm On Aug 12 Oando can pay. Fight for your right. That's how it is (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by RodgersAkpafu: 3:01pm On Aug 12 FreeStuffsNG: Will she refund Oando with interest for the one year study leave too? She's been using that certificate to work elsewhere since 2014 This is not logical to say Study leave is unpaid so what are you talking about (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Elsueno: 3:03pm On Aug 12 cunny88: Oando will likely appeal the decision to delay justice. However the lady will now be seen an employment risk by new employers given her penchant for dragging employers to court. For that paltry sum?, I don't think Oando would be that stup*d!..it's better to just pay her, end the case & move on b4 it becomes a bigger & more expensive scandal!. The quoted amount is just slightly above a a fresh graduate trainee salary in the oil & gas sector 1 Like (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by atobs4real(m): 3:06pm On Aug 12 The judge should have just make it ₦45m for her to live a better life. Well, that amount will still help her sha (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by FreeStuffsNG: 3:18pm On Aug 12 RodgersAkpafu: This is not logical to say Study leave is unpaid so what are you talking about Smh. It's obvious that you have been a junior/mid-level employee for too long 20 Likes (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by descartes400: 3:29pm On Aug 12 WickedAfonja: Since 2014? The money should be calculated for inflation to reflect current day realities which is around N40m thanks to Tinubu Your permutation or calculation is off base! The plaintiff had her own calculations which the honourable court agreed with! “I hereby hold that the defendant is to pay the claimant 3 months’ salary in lieu of notice of the said termination in the sum of N1, 205, 186. 41 being calculation as per annexure 2 attached to exhibit FO26 and the claimant’s calculation in paragraph 18 of the statement of fact.” The Court ruled. In a well-considered judgment, the Presiding Judge, Justice Anthonia Ubaka, agreed with Oladunni’s counsel that the OANDO PLC was in breach of the expressed terms of the contract when it failed to issue Oladunni with notice and yet failed to make a payment in lieu of the said notice as at the date when the relationship was severed. In the end,the court did not invalidate the termination letter served to the plaintiff dated 26th June 2014 as she still stand terminated! (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Advancedman(m): 4:01pm On Aug 12 WickedAfonja: Since 2014? The money should be calculated for inflation to reflect current day realities which is around N40m thanks to Tinubu After working for 10years It should be 400M in today's rate. Our justice system is what is making both government and some presume powerful organization and individuals misbehaving violating court orders anyhow. 1 Like (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by ExudeLoveToAll: 4:02pm On Aug 12 Adebaba1: It's a small amount It should be more He should be well compensated Paltry sum, it won't serve as deterrence to others (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Originalsly: 4:03pm On Aug 12 Christ4ever: The money is too paltry. Corporate organizations should support the growth of their employees both on paper and in the spirit of the letters. A friend of mine who worked with First Bank was also not absolved after returning from study leave. The excuse they gave him was that re-absorption is not automatic. They didn't fire him but guy man was left "hanging" for almost 2 years The guy was frustrated and eventually Japa to UK. He should've read the agreement ... they gave him a reason ...not an excuse. Like in this case ... reabsorption is not automatic. Your friend should've read the contract. People need to read contracts before signing. (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by ExudeLoveToAll: 4:03pm On Aug 12 cunny88: Oando will likely appeal the decision to delay justice. However the lady will now be seen an employment risk by new employers given her penchant for dragging employers to court. Which sane employer will see such news and not employ her? Who sends employees for study leave and sack them when they come back? 1 Like (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Advancedman(m): 4:04pm On Aug 12 she was treated unjustly and not given an option to resign honourably from the company after 10years of meritorious service. (Share⤴) Re: Court Orders OANDO To Pay N4.5m After Firing Employee Returning From Study Leave by Agugbadin: 4:35pm On Aug 12 OANDO should be happy that their employee is developing themselves to their full capacity and should be encouraged. That money is small OANDO can pay without any issue,therefore pay and don't drag your reputation in the mud. 1 Like (Share⤴)