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Nearly 18 months after exit, ex-CEO claims unpaid severance as PAT pursues preliminary objections instead of substantive defence at National Industrial Court.
Fresh concerns have emerged in the ongoing legal dispute between former Pan African Towers (PAT) CEO, Azeez Amida, and Pan African Towers Limited, following claims that the company is relying on procedural tactics to delay substantive determination of the matter rather than directly addressing the underlying dispute.
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According to court filings, Amida’s severance obligations under a Mutual Separation Agreement executed following his exit from the company in November 2024 remain unpaid nearly eighteen months later.
No Substantive Defence Filed, Says Claimant
Despite the matter commencing before the National Industrial Court since June 2025, Pan African Towers has reportedly not filed a substantive defence to indicate its refusal to fulfil the obligations in dispute. Instead, the company has pursued a preliminary objection on the ground that Amida did not comply with mandatory provisions for mediation and should alternatively pursue his remedy through arbitration rather than litigation.
The matter came before Honourable Justice Essien of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, on Tuesday, where counsel for Pan African Towers, Mr. Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, alongside Chukwudi Nwudike and Amira Omodu, urged the Court to decline jurisdiction pursuant to Clause 13A or refer the matter to arbitration via Clause 13B of the Mutual Separation Agreement.
Claimant’s Response: Multiple Attempts at Resolution Failed
Counsel representing Amida from Pinheiro LP, Bolu Agbaje Akadri, leading Emeka Ekweozor and Ukamaka Ali, opposed the application. They argued that multiple attempts had previously been made to resolve the matter, including formal demands for performance under the agreement, before the suit was filed.
During proceedings, the Court reportedly queried the absence of a substantive defence alongside the preliminary objection, describing the approach as procedurally improper before electing to hear the application.
“Procedural Manoeuvres to Postpone Accountability”
It is Amida’s position that an attempt was made in line with the Mutual Separation Agreement to have the matter resolved amicably, with no success. Reliance on arbitration—which is optional under the agreement at this stage—appears inconsistent with prior conduct, noting that no meaningful steps had allegedly been taken to initiate arbitration proceedings before the matter was brought before the Court.
“The substance of the dispute remains unanswered,” Amida’s team stated. “The concern is whether procedural manoeuvres are being deployed to postpone accountability rather than resolve the issues in contention.”
The Court has now adjourned the matter to 6 July 2026 for ruling on the preliminary objection.
Background: Amida’s Transformative Tenure at Pan African Towers
Pan African Towers (PAT) is a prominent digital telecommunications infrastructure provider in Nigeria. Former CEO Azeez Amida led the company through a period of massive growth from 2022 to late 2024, but his departure sparked an ongoing, highly publicized legal battle over an alleged unallocated 5% equity stake and unpaid severance.
Transformative Leadership:Â Appointed in 2022 when the company faced severe financial distress, Amida spearheaded a financial turnaround that grew revenues and improved EBITDA significantly while reducing liabilities.
Local Buyout Initiative:Â When original shareholders sought an exit, Amida initiated a local Management Buy-Out (MBO) intended to preserve Nigerian ownership.
The Legal and Severance Disputes
The Equity Battle: Amida alleges he was entitled to a 5% equity stake during the acquisition. He filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against international private equity investors—Development Partners International (DPI) and Verod Capital Management. He claimed the investors used the pretext of “tax efficiency” to temporarily alter the share structure during an MTN transaction but later refused to allocate his pre-agreed shares, ultimately forcing his resignation.
Severance Dispute:Â Amida exited his position in November 2024 to pursue other opportunities, at which point an interim management team led by CFO Oladipo Badru took over. Over a year and a half after his departure, Amida publicly stated he was still owed severance entitlements under his signed Mutual Separation Agreement.
Recent Proceedings:Â The severance issue led to proceedings at the National Industrial Court. Amida’s legal representatives have accused the company and its investors of employing delaying tactics and procedural technicalities to stall a substantive resolution.
Implications for Corporate Governance
The dispute is attracting increasing attention within legal, business, and corporate governance circles due to its potential implications for executive separation agreements, contractual enforcement, and dispute resolution mechanisms within Nigeria’s corporate environment.
Observers note that the eventual outcome could influence how arbitration clauses, executive transition obligations, and post-transaction disputes are approached in future corporate matters.
The matter remains before the Court.
