ECOWAS Court dismisses suit Filed by former staff of the West African Power Pool (WAPP)

 Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a suit brought by a former staff of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Mr. Ignace Hounkarin, alleging the abusive and wrongful termination of his employment five years ago, a statement issued here Friday said.

In its judgment of Thursday, 3 June, 2021, and delivered by the judge rapporteur, Justice Januaria Costa, the Court vindicated WAPP, a specialized agency of ECOWAS, of abusive and oppressive disciplinary proceeding in terminating his employment.

This was after it had established that the plaintiff "failed to prove how WAPP’s disciplinary committee’s appraisal/evaluation of the facts of his pleadings were erroneous, arbitrary and unjust".

The Court therefore held that his dismissal conformed with the provisions of Articles 84 (b. II) and 85 (b) of the Staff Regulation of WAPP, rendering the disciplinary measure legitimate and legal.

Consequently, the Court declined his request for re-instatement and declared other claims related to his allegation of improper disciplinary measures meted out to him as unfounded.

The Court also ordered both parties to bear their costs following its finding of no request for cost of litigation from any of the parties.

In the suit ECW/CCJ/APP/02/19, Mr Hounkarin, a former Administrative Assistant to the Secretary General of WAPP alleged he had a work contract for an indefinite period with WAPP, which coordinates cooperation among national electricity companies with the objective of developing a power transmission network across the West African region.

Mr. Hounkanrin further alleged that his work contract with WAPP, also known under the French acronym EEEOA, was wrongfully terminated through a letter of termination of employment issued to him on 16 February, 2016.

He added that he exhausted all avenues for redress provided in the Staff Regulation of WAPP to no avail.

Also on the panel were Honourable Justices Gberi- Be Ouattara and Dupe Atoki.

-0- PANA  RA  4June2021