Senate reverses dismissal of Nigerian Railway Corporation staff, orders reinstatement

The Nigerian Senate has overruled the dismissal of Engr. Aniekan Paddy Ukpe, a former District Engineer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and directed his reinstatement.

The Senate also ordered that he be paid all outstanding entitlements, asserting that there was no evidence linking him to railway track vandalism under his jurisdiction.

On Tuesday, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, brought the matter to the Senate’s attention following a petition by Engr. Ukpe.

Ukpe’s petition detailed his tenure as Senior Civil Engineer overseeing Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states. He reported a vandalism incident at Kamuru Station, Zonkwa, Kaduna State, on September 19, 2022, and alerted his District Manager and the police. His efforts led to the arrest and prosecution of the culprits, with two receiving two-year prison sentences.

Despite his actions, Ukpe was accused of underreporting the incident. A query was issued, and an investigative committee was convened, which ultimately recommended his dismissal. Ukpe claimed the proceedings were biased and denied him a fair chance to defend himself.

The NRC, represented by Managing Director Engr. (Dr.) F.E. Okhiria, cited negligence and a breach of the Railway General Rules of 1964 as grounds for his termination. The Senate, however, found no evidence of wrongdoing and deemed his dismissal unjust.