Ibi Local Government Chairman Faces Lawsuit for Threatening Workers

The chairman of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State, Emmanuel Ubandoma, and the council are being sued over claims that Ubandoma threatened civil servants and political appointees who support opposition parties.

The lawsuit was filed by Hajara Sule at the Federal High Court in Jalingo on October 19. This came after a video circulated where Ubandoma allegedly warned government workers against political activities that he believes go against the Governor Agbu Kefas administration.

The case, identified as FHC/JA/HR/66/2026, aims to protect the basic rights of the council’s employees and political appointees. This includes their rights to freedom of association and protection from discrimination.

Sule wants the court to confirm that workers can join any political party of their choice without fear of coercion or intimidation from the council leaders. She also wants the court to state that threatening workers with salary loss due to their political views is illegal and a breach of their fundamental rights.

Reliefs Sought

The lawsuit is based on Sections 40, 42, and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution, along with relevant parts of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009.

Sule seeks an order to stop Ubandoma and the council from forcing employees or political appointees to support any political party. She is also asking for ₦20 billion in damages for the violation of workers' rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Additionally, she wants the court to direct the respondents to publish an unreserved public apology to the council’s employees in at least two national newspapers.

The applicant wants the court to determine if the alleged threats violate the constitutional rights of the workers and to grant any other relief it finds appropriate.

Alleged Threats Against Workers

In the video, Ubandoma, speaking in Hausa, warned civil servants and political appointees to stay away from political activities he deems against the interests of Mr Kefas’s administration.

“If you are a civil servant or hold a government appointment, and I catch you engaging in this, I will take action against you, and whatever follows, you should put it in writing,” he reportedly stated.

He argued that government workers should not support an administration while taking actions he sees as betrayal.

“I am saying this because you cannot work for a government that pays your salary and provides for your livelihood, only for you to turn around and betray its trust. That is unacceptable,” he said.

Ubandoma also cautioned workers against letting family ties affect their political activities. He urged those who cannot separate personal relationships from their official duties to resign.

“Even if you are related to a candidate by blood, sharing the same mother or father, if you cannot set that relationship aside and do your duty, you should resign. Resign!” he said.

Ubandoma further promised to expose those he accuses of betraying the government’s trust.

“By the end of this month, I will begin to expose you. I am not afraid of anyone. I am not afraid of anyone who has betrayed the trust placed in them,” he stated.

Constitutional Rights

Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution ensures that citizens can assemble freely and join others, including forming or belonging to political parties.

Section 42 prohibits discrimination on certain grounds, while Section 46 provides a way to seek judicial help when fundamental rights are violated.

The lawsuit aims to determine if Ubandoma’s alleged statements violated the rights of the affected workers.