The Jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on Matters Relating to the Employment of A Company’s Director under CAMA

Abstract

 

The issue of jurisdiction is a fundamental one that goes to the root or foundation of any adjudication.  It is of paramount importance to any adjudication and must be considered first to avoid incidents of futility in situations where a court wrongly exercises jurisdiction over matters of which it has no vires.  This article examines the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) regarding matters that pertain to the office of a Director of a Company as it concerns the appointment, remuneration, removal and compensation or damages as enshrined in the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020). In addressing the issue, the article considered the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court (FHC) over matters arising from the operation of the CAMA 2020.  The article queries whether the NICN’s additional and exclusive jurisdiction over civil causes and matters relating to or connected with any labour, employment, trade unions, industrial relations and matters incidental thereto or connected therewith has encroached into the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over matters arising from the operation of CAMA 2020.