Supreme Court Nullifies ₦1.07 Billion Award to Achuba

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified a ₦1.07 billion award previously granted to Simon Achuba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, for alleged unpaid salaries. The apex court determined that the Court of Appeal had exceeded its appellate jurisdiction when it calculated the specific monetary sum in Achuba's post-judgment application.

The Supreme Court ruled that the matter should be remitted to the National Industrial Court, which is the appropriate forum for determining the quantification of Achuba's alleged entitlements. The judgment clarified that while the earlier ruling affirmed Achuba's entitlement to salary allowances, it did not specify the exact amount payable.

The Supreme Court emphasized that a proper evidentiary process is required to ascertain the exact sum due. The legal team representing Achuba, led by Femi Falana, SAN, argued against the Court of Appeal's actions, while Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu delivered the judgment, with Justice Oband Festus Ogbuinya dissenting.