Court Orders Ex-Staff To Pay Civil Foundation N10m Damages Over Dual Employment Concealment

The Abuja division of the National Industrial Court (NICN) has ordered Adebowale Abdulakeem Adedigba, a former staff of Civil Foundation Ltd/GT, operating under the name Code for Africa, to pay N10 million in general damages, after finding that he fraudulently concealed his full-time employment with another organisation while working for the claimant.

In a judgment delivered on June 10, 2026, Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osaghie held that Adebowale Abdulakeem Adedigba breached the terms of his employment contract by failing to disclose that he was simultaneously employed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation & Development (CJID), despite company policies prohibiting moonlighting and requiring disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.

The claimant had approached the court seeking declarations that the defendant’s non-disclosure amounted to fraudulent misrepresentation, a refund of N5.34 million paid as salaries and allowances between September 2023 and April 2024, damages, costs and other reliefs.

The company argued that Adedigba’s undisclosed dual employment contributed to poor performance, missed deadlines and reduced productivity while serving as a Training Coordinator. 

It maintained that investigations revealed he had remained on the payroll of CJID throughout his employment with the claimant and only tendered his resignation after being invited to face a disciplinary panel.

In his defence, Adedigba insisted that he had disclosed his previous engagements through his résumé before his appointment and argued that the claimant knowingly employed him. He also counterclaimed for N822,475.33, representing his May 2024 salary and benefits, alleging they were wrongfully withheld.

However, the court found that although the defendant’s résumé mentioned other engagements, he failed to disclose his paid employment with CJID in the mandatory declaration of interest forms required under the employment contract. Adding that this amounted to deliberate concealment and fraudulent misrepresentation.

Justice Obaseki-Osaghie further held that the defendant maintained two full-time jobs simultaneously, creating a conflict of interest that affected his performance and breached the claimant’s employment policies.

The court dismissed the defendant’s counterclaim, ruling that he could not benefit from his own wrongful conduct.

Consequently, the court declared that the defendant fraudulently misrepresented his employment status, found him liable for breaching his employment contract, awarded the claimant N10 million as general damages and N1 million as costs. 

The judge directed that the sums be paid within 30 days, failing which they would attract interest at 10 per cent per annum until fully settled.