ECOWAS court orders West African Power Pool to compensate dismissed staff some $280,000, here’s why

According to the court, the agency wrongfully dismissed the staff from the service of the agency.

Delivering its judgment on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, the Court agreed with the plaintiff that the Cotonou-based WAPP did not follow due process in terminating his appointment.

The court consequently awarded the sum of $120,000 for various breaches of the agency’s staff regulations and another $140,000 as general damages for wrongful dismissal.

It also awarded the sum of $20,000 against the WAPP as costs pursuant to Article 66 (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court.

The judgment was delivered by the Judge Rapporteur, Justice Keikura Bangura.

The other judges on the panel included Justices Edward Amoako Asante (President) and Justice Gberi-Be Ouattara (Vice President).

The suit

In suit no. ECW/CCJ/APP/31/18 filed by his counsels Zakari Baba Body, Irene Gassi, Alexis Armand Deguenon and Ayodeji Soremi, the plaintiff, who was employed by WAPP in 2006 as Director of Information and Coordination of the agency, alleged that the termination of his appointment about two years ago was illegal and did not follow due process.

The plaintiff averred that he was accused of disrespectful behavior to the agency’s Human Resources and Governance Committee during its 12th meeting of 27-29 March 2017 held in Cotonou after which his appointment was terminated after 11 years of service without any query or complaint.

He added that following his suspension, he was called to face a disciplinary committee and subsequently dismissed on the 8th of August 2017 but denied the opportunity to enter a plea after which his appointment was terminated.

The plaintiff further averred that he unsuccessfully appealed his dismissal in accordance with the agency’s staff regulations before proceeding to the ECOWAS Court for redress.