The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has ordered an oil firm, Stat-Oil ((Equinor Nigeria Energies Oil & Gas Ltd) now Chappel Energies Nig. Ltd, to pay the total sum of N200 million to one of its former staff, Mr. Moses Adie, whose appointment was terminated more than two decades ago.
The matter has been lingering with the company not living up to its billing as it has over the years refused to honour the committee’s invitation to appear before it for an amicable settlement.
Mr. Adie’s prayers yielded fruitful outcome haven gone through tears of struggles and hardship when on the 6th February, 2024, the committee after three invitations on the oil firm without response passed a resolution that the company must pay the said sum, after the fourth botched invitation.
In a chat with Blueprint Adie said his case started on the 23rd January, 2000 when he was invited to the office of Col. Oddmund Iversen (Rtd) a Norwegian, who then was the security manager but posed as manager, and ordered Adie to sign his termination letter which was attached with a cheque of N33,037.75.
Mr. Adie said he refused to sign on the premise that he was a confirmed permanent staff and had committed no misconduct or found wanting in any manner to be so humiliated with unfounded dismissal/ termination against the rule of engagement.
“The company refused to comply to legislative instruction of the House Resolution of 8/9th Assembly which solicited their compliance to the cause of Justice.
The House Committee, irked by Chappel Energies Nigeria Limited refusal to honour its invitations said the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the company was an abuse and also an insult to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the petitioner explained.
The committee therefore granted Moses’ prayer noting that the petitioner incurred heavy financial burden while pursuing justice.
“Therefore, Adie is soliciting for the sum of One hundred and fifty million (N150, 000, 000) plus the present value of 33,037.75 as at 24years ago which should be about N50, 000, 000. Other things being equal, expectedly, Moses is asking for the total sum of N200,000, 000 naira, this is to wipe away tears, reduce trauma and restore his dignity as a man and to offset debts,” the committee said.
