High court upholds dismissal of village head over gross insubordination in Niger

Justice Maimuna Abubakar has affirmed the removal and subsequent dismissal of Abdulqadir Muhammad Maigari, the former village head of Muye in Niger State, citing severe insubordination.

Maigari was relieved from his duties during Governor Abubakar Bello’s tenure in 2021, following allegations of stark insubordination manifested by playing royal trumpets during official functions.InformationGuideNigeria

Consequently, Maigari, with the backing of some titleholders from Muye, sought legal redress. Represented by Counsels N. A Tanko and A. N Musu, they implored the court to declare Maigari’s dismissal as unlawful and without basis.

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The plaintiffs presented a list of eight demands to the court, which predominantly revolved around reinstating the village head and disbursing his unpaid salary backlog. Furthermore, they insisted that the traditional ruler, being the Amana of Kakanda and village head of Muye, should not be subjected to penalties for actions or inactions that are not grounded in the law. The complainants also contended that the village head was deprived of a just hearing prior to his removal.NYSC Portal

However, on October 31, 2023, Justice Abubakar ruled in favor of the state, granting only one of the eight demands made by the plaintiffs. Specifically, the court acknowledged relief no. 3, which called for the disbursal of the village head’s suspended salary prior to his official dismissal. All other reliefs, ranging from 1 to 8, with the exception of the third, were declined.

The court’s decision was primarily hinged on the complainants’ inability to substantiate their claims adequately, save for the demand related to salary dues.JAMB Result

Justice Abubakar further stated,” The contention of the plaintiffs that the 1st plaintiff was not given a fair hearing by the investigative committee is false. He was given a fair hearing before his dismissal having been queried on two different times and the queries were answered while he also presented documents in defence to the committee.”JAMB Portal

“The court hereby directs the 2nd defendant to pay to the 1st plaintiff all his arrears of salaries as the village head of Muye on grade level 07/06 from 15th April 2020 when he was appointed till 20th May 2021 when he was removed/dismissed,” she added.

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