Court faults Direct on Data Ltd for selling assets without paying staff salaries

The National Industrial Court (NIC), Lagos has faulted Direct on Data Ltd for selling its assets to another company without paying the salary of one of its staff, Essien Aquaisua.

The court declared that the sale of the ICT firm and the non-absorption of Essien by the new company it was sold to, amounted to a termination of the applicant’s employment.

The judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Elizabeth Oji was published on the NIC official website on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The claimant had submitted that his former company, Direct on Data Ltd sacked him “by conduct” when it sold off its assets to another company while denying him access to his office and the company’s portal.

Mr. Essien argued that following his discharge without due process, he calculated his entitlement and sent it to the company’s director and new owner, insisting his one-month pay stood at N914,143.

However, the company urged the court to hold that Essien failed to establish that Direct on Data Ltd and its Director terminated his employment.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Elizabeth Oji agreed with the claimant’s submission.

The judge said,

The judge held that the claimant tendered exhibits to show that he was not paid before the company sold its assets.