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HOTEL AND PERSONAL SERVICES SENIOR STAFFASSOCIATION AND OWENA HOTELS LIMITED, AKURE (NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT) HON. JUSTICE M.A. BORISADE - PRESIDENT AMBASSADORM.S.SALEH - MEMBER CHIEFM.GDAB - MEMBER PROF. B.B. KANYIP - MEMBER V.N. OKOBI (MRS) - MEMBER SUIT NO: NIC/6/95 DATE OF JUDGMENT - MAY 14, 2002 LABOUR LAW Termination of appointment - Termination of worker’s appointment on ground of trade union activities - Nullity of - Worker’s entitlement to immediate reinstatement. TRADE UNION LAW Termination of appointment - Termination of worker’s appointment on ground of trade union activities - Nullity of - Worker’s entitlement to immediate reinstatement. ISSUE: Whether the court is competent to order the reinstatement of Mr. J.K. Owolabi in the circumstances of this case. FACTS The Appellant declared a trade dispute against the Respondent, which was referred to the Industrial Arbitration Panel for arbitration. The Panel made a “no award” in respect of one of the issues in dispute, that is, the termination of appointment of the Branch Secretary, Mr. J.K. Owolabi, which was objected to by the Appellant. Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the National Industrial Court. Held: (Allowing the appeal and ordering reinstatement of the affected staff): On Nullity of termination of appointment of worker on ground of trade union activities - The termination of appointment of a worker will be a nullity where the termination was based on trade union activities, and such worker is entitled to immediate reinstatement. Thus, the court nullified the termination of the appointment of the Branch Secretary of the Appellant, who the court finds was dismissed by the Respondent on ground of trade union activities.