Hon. Justice Sinmisola Adeniyi sitting in Kaduna Judicial division of the National Industrial Court has dismissed the entitlement claim filed by Miss Natasha Adam against Kaduna Electricity Distribution for lacking merit.

The Court stated that Miss Natasha failed to prove that she performed exceptionally to be entitled to the reward for long service recognition and 13th-month entitlements claim.

From facts, the claimant- Miss Natasha had submitted that she was employed by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution on 14/08/2015 and resigned her appointment after serving for five (5) years.

Miss Natasha contended that all efforts to get her entitlement benefits were to no avail and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.

In defense, the defendant- Kaduna Electricity Distribution averred that Miss Natasha has not proved that she made exceptional contributions to the Company’s goals, targets and objectives to be entitled to her claims for a long service award and 13th-month salary, and urged the Court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

In a well-considered judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Sinmisola Adeniyi held that Miss Natasha’s claim for long service recognition and 13th-month entitlements are facts that must be proved by cogent and credible evidence.

“The evidence of Miss Natasha as contained in paragraphs 6 and 13 of her Statement of Facts is that as an employee who served for five years and voluntarily retired, she is entitled to the said benefits but failed to prove that she performed exceptionally to be entitled to the reward.” Justice Adeniyi