Basingstoke, UK – In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the UK’s local government sector, two British nationals of Nigerian descent, Ms. O. Akinleye and Mr. A. Olumade, have successfully secured hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation after an employment tribunal found they were racially discriminated against by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) licensing officers.
The couple, who are both dedicated black taxi drivers, were found to have been subjected to “significant and long-term race discrimination” by multiple council officers over several years.
The Breakdown of Justice
The tribunal did not mince words when describing the council’s handling of the case, labelling their overall approach as “shocking.” The findings detailed severe and sustained mistreatment:
- Mr. Olumade was subjected to “baseless allegations” and the council’s handling left him feeling “powerless and small,” resulting in severe stress. He was awarded £123,000.
- Ms. Akinleye was subjected to “vitriolic and oppressive” questioning and an “unfair investigation.” The tribunal noted her resulting anxiety was at times “incapacitating,” preventing her from working. She was awarded £155,500.
The total compensation awarded to the Nigerian couple stands at an impressive £278,500, marking a significant victory against institutional bias.
A Pattern of Unfairness
The judgment highlighted the brazen refusal by BDBC to acknowledge the couple’s grievances. The tribunal noted the council refused to recognize “any validity in many of the [couple’s] grievances,” and that their subsequent response was insufficient, offering no recognition that the discrimination was anything other than a “mistake.”
This is not the couple’s first fight for justice; they had previously alleged discrimination in Reading following another incident in 2016, where a 2023 tribunal found Mr. Olumade had been treated differently because of his race in that town.
Council Issues Apology (After the Ruling)
In response to the ruling and the substantial financial penalty, a BDBC spokesperson issued an apology: “We fully considered the judgement and apologised to the drivers for the incidents, and our handling of them, that led to them feeling they needed to bring this action and the distress it caused them. We acknowledge the outcome of this remedy hearing and have fully complied with the ruling and the payment of compensation to the people involved.”
Despite the council’s promise to learn lessons and make “appropriate changes,” the tribunal’s initial finding that the council’s response, beyond mandatory staff equality training, was “shocking” remains a stinging critique of their internal culture and accountability.
This case serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for fairness in the diaspora is ongoing, and that standing firm on principle can indeed lead to justice being served, no matter how long the battle takes.
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