Taraba Council Chairman Sued Over Alleged Threats to Workers

The chairman of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State, Emmanuel Ubandoma, and the council have been sued at the Federal High Court in Jalingo over alleged threats against civil servants and political appointees because of their political affiliations.

The suit was filed on October 19 by Hajara Sule, who is seeking to protect the workers’ fundamental rights to freedom of association and freedom from discrimination.

The legal action followed the circulation of a video in which Ubandoma allegedly warned government employees against participating in political activities he considered contrary to the interests of Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration.

The applicant is asking the court to affirm the right of council employees and political appointees to belong to political parties of their choice without intimidation or coercion.

She is also seeking an order restraining the chairman, the council and their representatives from using their official positions to compel workers to support any political party.

Additionally, Sule is demanding ₦20 billion in general and aggravated damages over the alleged infringement of the workers’ fundamental rights. She has also asked the court to compel the respondents to issue a public apology in at least two national newspapers.

The application relies on Sections 40, 42 and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Section 40 guarantees citizens the right to assemble freely and associate with others, including membership of political parties, while Section 42 prohibits discrimination on specified grounds.

The lawsuit seeks a judicial determination of whether the alleged threats violated the affected workers’ constitutional rights. The available court documents do not indicate that the court has granted the reliefs sought.

The case raises broader questions about political freedom within public service and the responsibility of local government officials to respect workers’ constitutional rights regardless of their political affiliations.