Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, accusing the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of refusing to comply with a court judgment that ordered the reinstatement of a former employee, Mrs. Anukwa Annastasia Nneka. In a letter dated August 29, 2026, RULAAC urged the minister to intervene and compel the aviation regulatory agency to obey the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN). The rights group said the case, which dates back to 2015, raises serious questions about respect for judicial authority and the rule of law by a federal government agency.
According to RULAAC, Mrs. Anukwa was dismissed by the NCAA on August 27, 2015, allegedly while she was on approved leave. She joined the NCAA on July 30, 2001, and rose to become an Assistant Chief Accountant on Grade Level 13 Step 08, with consistently excellent performance ratings. The dispute began after issues relating to her redeployment and deferred annual leave, leading to accusations that she absconded from duty. She was dismissed without being subjected to the proper disciplinary procedures.
After years of litigation, the National Industrial Court delivered a judgment in her favour on December 13, 2024. Justice S.H. Danjidda held that the NCAA, being a statutory body established under the Civil Aviation Act, is bound by its Conditions of Service, which have the force of law. The court declared the dismissal "wrongful, unlawful, null and void," ordered her reinstatement, and directed the NCAA to pay all withheld salaries and entitlements. The Certified True Copy of the judgment became available on December 30, 2024.
However, instead of implementing the judgment, RULAAC alleged that the NCAA approached the National Industrial Court seeking leave to appeal, an extension of time, and a stay of execution. That application was struck out on March 27, 2025. The NCAA later filed another application seeking leave to appeal, which was also struck out by the Court of Appeal on April 23, 2026. The appellate court dismissed the motion for want of diligent prosecution after the NCAA's counsel failed to appear.
Following these rulings, Mrs. Anukwa wrote to the NCAA on May 7, 2026, requesting her reinstatement letter and subsequently reported to the authority's headquarters in Abuja to resume her duties. She also wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on May 6, 2026, drawing attention to the NCAA's refusal to comply with the judgment. Despite this, the NCAA filed yet another motion for leave to appeal on May 19, 2026.
RULAAC stressed that an application for leave to appeal does not constitute an appeal and does not automatically suspend the operation or enforceability of an existing court judgment. The group also expressed concern that during proceedings at the Court of Appeal on June 24, 2026, the appellate panel expressed concern over the continued non-implementation of the judgment and admonished NCAA representatives. Mrs. Anukwa again presented herself at the NCAA headquarters to resume work, but the Director-General allegedly asked her to return when other officials were available. RULAAC said the promised meeting and her full resumption had yet to materialize.
RULAAC's Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, called on Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to intervene, stating that the matter had gone beyond an ordinary employer-employee dispute and raised concerns about obedience to court orders and respect for the rule of law. The group warned that the NCAA's continued defiance of a subsisting court judgment undermines public confidence in the judiciary and sets a dangerous precedent for other government agencies.
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