Court denies former National Security operatives benefits

An Accra High Court has dismissed an application by 88 former National Security Operatives demanding their end of service benefits after being dismissed wrongfully.

The officers were employed in 2001, under the Security Intelligence Agencies law of 1996 (Act 526) and the relevant laws governing the public service.

They contended that following the 2008 elections and change in government, they were wrongfully perceived as political appointees of the previous administration.

The officers therefore dragged the National Security Coordinator and Attorney General to court for wrongful dismissal, seeking a declaration that they were entitled to be paid benefits upon the termination of their appointments.

The court presided over by Justice Dennis Agyei, a Court of Appeal Judge, however held that the officers were not wrongfully dismissed and that their employers acted in accordance with the Labour Act.

It noted that the officers were given three months’ salary in lieu of notice of termination of appointment.

The judge noted that under the Labour Law and the National Security Act, they are not entitled to any end of service benefit in view of the fact that they did not retire from the service.

The state in its defence denied the plaintiff statement of case.

Source: GNA