The Appeal Court sitting in Kaduna State has dismissed the appeal filed by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) challenging the victory of the parents of 67 Regular Course cadets at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit.
Recall that the NDA had contested an earlier judgment issued by the Federal High Court in Kaduna on May 18, 2023, which ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed cadets and the payment of all their entitlements since 2019.
The Appeal Court upheld the High Court’s decision and also mandated the NDA to immediately reinstate all the dismissed cadets and award them their Degree Certificates, recognising their completion of studies and participation in the academy’s convocation and the 67th Passing Out Parade on October 5, 2019.
In a similar development, the House of Representatives had previously considered a petition from Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 others regarding the unlawful dismissal of the cadets.
On February 24, 2021, the House urged the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to instruct the NDA’s commandant to urgently reinstate the 15 cadet officers who had completed their courses but were wrongfully dismissed.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi stated, “It is hereby ordered that there is no merit in the appeal. It fails and is hereby dismissed.
“The decision of the lower court delivered on 18/5/2023 is hereby affirmed. The 19th Respondents are entitled to costs, which is assessed at N300,000 against the Appellants.”
Barrister Asabe Ahmed, the counsel for the parents of the dismissed cadets, expressed her appreciation to the Appeal Court for upholding the Federal High Court’s judgment.
“We call on the NDA to comply with the judgment by reinstating the dismissed cadets and paying them all their entitlements according to the court order,” she stated, emphasising the union’s commitment to ensuring compliance.
Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Daura, the Maradin Daura of Katsina State and a representative of the parents, also spoke to journalists about the ruling.
He appealed to the NDA to follow the court’s decision and reinstate their children, who have been idle for more than six years after their wrongful dismissal.
“Let President Bola Tinubu and the leaders in the military, especially the Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Staff, consider what both court judgments have stated and ensure that justice is served for these children.
“We have already won them in the National Assembly, we went to the Federal High Court, and they gave the same verdict. They were the ones who went to appeal the judgment at the Appeal Court, and their appeal was dismissed on the basis of lack of merit. The judgment is clear.”
“We plead with them to abide by the law of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These children, up until now, do not have degrees or any recognition. They are just waiting, and it is a pity. They have suffered enough; they should be allowed to go back and continue their service,” he said.
