The absence of Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court Abuja on Wednesday stalled the hearing in the suit filed by retired AIG Joseph Mbu, challenging his alleged compulsory retirement against the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Ms Obaseki-Osaghae had May 19 fixed Wednesday for defence. However, the matter listed on the cause list could not go on due to her absence.

Counsels were informed by the court’s registrar about the unavoidable absence of the judge and proceeded to direct counsel to take new dates for their matters.

Mr Mbu’s matter was consequently adjourned until October 13 for the defence to open its case.

He instituted the suit against the commission over his alleged compulsory retirement on July 1, 2016, when he was the commandant of Police Staff College.

In his statement of facts, he stated that he was born on April 10, 1958, joined the Nigeria Police Force ( NPF) on December 11, 1985, and had not reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, nor had he spent 35 years in service before he was retired in 2016.

Mr Mbu is seeking, amongst other reliefs, an order of the court to invalidate his retirement, which he claimed was done via a press release as he was not served statutory notice of retirement.

The former police chief is also seeking an order from the court directing the defendant to pay his salaries, allowances and other entitlements from July 2016 till 2018, when he would have been due for retirement.

Although the matter was earlier before Justice Sanusi Kado, it was reassigned to Ms Obaseki-Osaghae following the transfer of Mr Kado to the Calabar division of the court.

(NAN)