The Joint Unions of National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Jos, Plateau State, has called for the immediate reversal of the “illegal” suspension of 58 staff of the centre by the Federal Ministry of Steel Development (MSD).
Dateline Nigeria reports that the suspension followed a protest by the staff members, which the ministry described as a breach of public service rule.
But addressing a press conference on Monday, the unions said what is now happening at the centre was no longer an internal labour dispute but “a grave crisis of governance, flagrant abuse of office, criminal prosecution, and systematic victimization of innocent staff, aided by the unjustifiable inaction of the supervising Ministry of Steel Development.”
The press conference, which took place at the NMDC Jos, was jointly addressed by the trio of Com. Henry K. Muanleng (ASURI Chairman, NMDC), Com. Michael P. Mshelia (SSAUTHRAI Chairman, NMDC) and Com. Emmanuel Fada (NASU Chairman, NMDC).
Background
According to the unions, the crisis at the NMDC began when staff and the Joint Unions, acting in good faith and in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR), submitted formal petitions alleging financial impropriety, abuse of office, administrative recklessness, and gross misconduct against Prof. Linus Okon Asuquo.
“Rather than address these concerns transparently, the DG responded with intimidation, witch-hunting, and suppression, setting the stage for the institutional breakdown we are witnessing today,” the unions,” the unions alleged.
Ministerial committee investigates allegations
They said “In response to sustained pressure, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development constituted a Ministerial Investigative Committee to examine the allegations.
“That committee, after due investigation, indicted Prof. Asuquo on serious counts of administrative and financial misconduct. These findings were formally submitted to the Ministry.
“However, in a disturbing departure from established public service practice, the report was suppressed, no white paper was issued, and no administrative action was taken against the indicted DG.”
Following the said indictment, the Joint Unions formally wrote several letters to the Ministry demanding the “immediate implementation of the committee’s recommendations, suspension of the DG pending further action and protection of staff from retaliation”.
But, according to them, “these lawful demands were ignored, compelling the unions to escalate the matter through all available legal and administrative channels.”
ICPC arraigns Prof. Asuquo in court
Subsequently, however, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) commenced investigation into the allegations, which culminated in the arraignment of Prof. Linus Okon Asuquo before the Federal High Court on corruption-related charges.
“This is no longer an allegation; it is a matter before a competent court of law. Despite this, the Ministry shockingly allowed him to remain in office, in total disregard of the Public Service Rules, the principle of administrative neutrality and the need to protect public institutions from reputational damage.”
Staff protest during permanent secretary’s visit
During the official visit of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, staff peacefully protested under the banner “Asuquo Must Go”, demanding accountability and institutional sanity.
“This protest was peaceful, lawful, and protected under the Constitution. Yet, it was later weaponized against staff. Instead of addressing the substance of the protest and allegations, Prof. Asuquo filed petitions against staff leaders.
“Union leaders and staff were summoned to the DSS and the Police Headquarters in Jos through a petition written by the Prof. Asuquo, not for committing any crime, but for daring to demand accountability.
“This was a clear attempt to criminalize unionism and suppress dissent and a part of a sustained campaign of intimidation and retaliation. Prof. Linus Okon Asuquo escalated an otherwise administrative and labour-related dispute by petitioning staff members to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“This action represents a flagrant and indefensible violation of the Public Service Rules (PSR), which clearly and exhaustively prescribe the procedure for discipline of civil servants.
“Rather the DG chose the path of arbitrariness, impunity, and intimidation—conduct wholly unbecoming of a public officer, let alone the chief executive of a federal institution,” they said.
Unions accuse ministry of inaction
The unions also argued that “Under the PSR, disciplinary matters of a non-criminal nature must be handled strictly through established administrative processes. At no time did the Director-General allege, establish, or present any prima facie evidence of a criminal offence that could justify invoking the coercive powers of the police or security agencies.
“What occurred instead was a deliberate attempt to criminalize dissent, weaponize state security institutions, and terrorize staff into submission.
“The affected staff did not remain silent. In a formal rebuttal letter, they clearly and unambiguously drew the attention of the supervising Ministry to the illegality of petitioning civil servants to the police and DSS in blatant disregard of the PSR.
“The Ministry was therefore fully aware of these infractions. Yet, despite this knowledge, it took no corrective action, issued no directive, and imposed no sanction whatsoever on Prof. Asuquo.
“This inaction amounts to tacit endorsement. It emboldens abuse of power, undermines the authority of the Public Service Rules, and sends a dangerous signal that senior officials may bypass due process, deploy security agencies against staff, and suffer no consequences.
“The illegal petitioning of staff to the police and DSS is therefore not an isolated incident—it is part of a broader pattern of administrative lawlessness, intimidation, and institutional breakdown that defines the Asuquo case.”
Demand for suspension of DG after arraignment
After the DG’s arraignment in court, the Joint Unions said they formally wrote to the Ministry again, demanding his immediate suspension, as required by the PSR when an officer is facing criminal charges related to official duties. “These letters were ignored,” they alleged.
“With the Ministry’s persistent silence, the unions escalated the matter by submitting petitions to: the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSF) and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
“These petitions detailed the Ministry’s dereliction of duty, its failure to act on an indicted and arraigned DG, and the growing persecution of staff,” they said.
‘Illegal suspension’ of 58 staff
They said after failing to secure justice through lawful means, the Ministry, acting through the Director of Human Resources, issued letters purporting to suspend fifty-eight (58) staff of NMDC.
“Let it be clearly stated: No query was issued, no investigation panel invited the affected staff, no fair hearing was conducted. The Ministry lacks disciplinary jurisdiction over NMDC staff.
“This action is in gross violation of PSR 030302, PSR 030307, and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The suspensions are therefore illegal, ultra vires, null and void ab initio, and amount to collective punishment under ministerial coercion.
“Moreover, this action is manifestly intimidatory, vindictive, and driven by personal vendetta, calculated to settle scores rather than uphold discipline. Over 100 staff members openly and lawfully participated in the protest. Why, then, were only 58 selectively suspended?
“This glaring selectivity exposes the action as discriminatory, mala fide, and an abuse of disciplinary powers, aimed at witch-hunting perceived dissenters instead of enforcing any known rule. Such arbitrary targeting offends the principles of fairness, equality, and natural justice and further underscores that the suspensions were not taken in good faith but as a tool of repression and intimidation.”
Unions restate five-point demand
The unions said what is being witnessed is a dangerous inversion of justice where an officer facing criminal trial is protected, while innocent staff are punished.
While expressing commitment to due process, rule of law, and the survival of NMDC as a national institution, the unions restated their earlier demands.
1. Immediate reversal of the illegal suspension of the 58 staff
2. Immediate suspension of Prof. Linus Okon Asuquo pending the outcome of his
investigation and trial
3. Release and implementation of the Ministerial Investigative Committee report
4. Protection of staff and union leaders from further victimization
5. Intervention by the HOSF, SGF, and Mr. President to restore sanity at NMDC
Attempts to reach the Ministry and NMDC management were not successful. But in suspending the staff, the Federal Ministry of Steel Development (MSD) said the staff were suspended over the continuous protest that paralysed activities at the centre.
It said “the affected staff were required to leave the agency’s premises immediately and would not be allowed to perform any duties or functions related to their positions during this period.
“Similarly, suspended persons were not entitled to salary or benefits during the period of their suspension, and they were also required to return all agency property to their supervisors or the Human Resources Department.”
Also, a group known as the Plateau Network for Social Justice and Reform (PNSJR) had recently condemned the continuous protests by a section of workers at NMDC, Jos, which has led to the disruption of activities for more than eight weeks.
In a statement by its president, Timothy Dallak, and Secretary, Hon. Daniel Abubakar, the PNSJR expressed disappointment over the continued protests despite what it called the efforts of Professor Linus Asuquo-led management to reposition the Centre.
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