A former Assistant Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Asher Uwem, has filed a lawsuit against the apex bank, claiming she was wrongfully removed from her job.
In a case filed at the National Industrial Court, Abuja with suit number NICN/ABJ/275/2026, Mrs Uwem is asking the court to reinstate her. She argues that CBN broke its own Human Resources Policies and Procedure Manual when it ended her appointment.
Until her sack, she led the Facility Management Division under the Procurement and Support Services Department. She is also asking the court to order CBN to pay all her salaries and allowances from May 2026 till retirement.
If that fails, she wants N5 billion as compensation for embarrassment and emotional pain, plus N500 million for general damages and legal costs.
From 2004 hire to 2026 exit
Mrs Uwem told the court she joined CBN on February 9, 2004 as a Senior Supervisor and got confirmation on May 3, 2004. Over the next 21 years, she moved up to Assistant Manager in 2007, Manager in 2011, and later to Senior Manager, Principal Manager and Assistant Director between 2015 and 2023.
Her problems began on June 20, 2025, when she got a suspension letter over claims of unethical conduct. She said the letter was signed by an acting director, but CBN’s rules state that only the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, can sign such a letter. She also referenced a 2024 Supreme Court decision to back her point.
On June 27, 2025, she appeared before an internal investigation panel. A query followed on July 22, 2025. Mrs Uwem said she rejected the allegations as false and without proof.
She told the court that her role did not give her authority to hire contractors or influence project bidding in Abuja, Maiduguri or any CBN branch. She denied asking Gabriel Ademumi or any vendor to submit proposals, and rejected claims that project costs were raised by N251 million. She also denied receiving $500 from Saidu Sadiya, Managing Director of Aurum Facility Management Company.
According to her, handling quotations and vendor submissions is the job of the Service Coordinator. She added that total facility managers were already in place before she was posted to the department, and contracts were renewed yearly based on performance.
Why she went to court
On May 14, 2026, CBN issued her termination letter. Mrs Uwem described it as unjust because she was not given a fair chance to defend herself before suspension and dismissal.
“After 21 years of committed service, my job was taken away in breach of CBN’s own rules and labour laws,” she said.
She told the court that her CBN salary was her family’s main source of income. Since the sack, she said she has struggled to pay school fees and take care of basic needs. She also said the decision caused her emotional distress.
Mrs Uwem is praying the court to cancel the suspension and termination letters, declare her dismissal unlawful, and direct CBN to pay her all due entitlements.
The matter is still before the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria