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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">J.U.ADUNG for the claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">EFFIOM AYI with K.A.AYO & K.H.YUSUF for the defendant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <u>JUDGEMENT<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant instituted this action via a Complaint with the accompanying frontloaded documents filed on 8<sup>th</sup> June, 2015 against the defendants for the following reliefs:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l5 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the reprehensible conduct of the defendant in termination of my employment having suffered fatal injury in the course of employment with the defendant without financial rehabilitation was unwarranted, unlawful, null and void.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l5 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that I am entitled to my accrued monthly salary in the sum of #80,462.00 (Eighty Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Two Naira) from May, 2015 till judgment is delivered being special damages representing gross pay in October, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l5 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A sum of #50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) being the resultant hazard I have suffered in the course of my employment without any financial rehabilitation from the defendant, as well as my terminal benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l5 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A sum of #300,000.00 (Three Hundred thousand Naira) as cost of litigation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant’s Case on the record is that the </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant until his appointment with the defendant was terminated, was a confirmed employee of the defendant in the capacity of a Welder with basic earning capacity of #26,897,000.00 as shown by his pay slip of April, 2015.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Consequent upon an injury arising from oxygen cylinder explosion which incapacitated his ability to work and earn a living, he was asked to resume work following his treatment. His employers, upon noticing his loss of potential and capacity to work, terminated his appointment on 11<sup>th</sup> May, 2015 under the pretext of redundancy and what they called “total absence of patronage and non-payment of debts” in which no compensation for the injury was paid to him nor his terminal benefit. However, he was recalled to work after two weeks following his Counsel’s letter of 26<sup>th</sup> May, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant averred that one year after the injury, he has been unable to clench his ten fingers in a form that can enable him do any type of work, thus his reason for instituting this action against the defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendants filed their <b>STATEMENT OF DFENCE</b> dated 13<sup>th</sup> July, 2015 on 14<sup>th</sup> July, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Wherein the defendant averred that it employed the claimant in January, 2009 “on daily rate” basis as stated in the Daily Rated Agreement of 26<sup>th</sup> January, 2009 executed by both parties, of which the said Agreement is not an appointment letter. Furthermore, that apart from the agreement dated 26<sup>th</sup> January, 2009, the claimant was not issued any letter of appointment, thus, that it is misleading, false and self-serving for the claimant to refer to the Agreement of 26/1/2009 as an initial appointment letter as there was no confirmation of the claimant’s appointment although his salary was subsequently enhanced.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant further stated that at the material time when the explosion occurred, the claimant was all alone as a welder, and he was the person who lit the fire which resulted in the explosion. Defendant denied that the claimant suffered permanent disability resulting from the accident as he was treated and discharged for the injuries he sustained after which he resumed work and was being paid.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is the defendant’s pleadings that owing to the crippling economic situation in the country which negatively impacted on her by way of total absence of patronage and non-payment of debts owed it, the defendant was constrained to close down its operations across the country on 11<sup>th</sup> May, 2014. Thus, all the workers in their quarries and construction sites have been sent home since 11/05/2015 and prior to this time, many of its workers including the claimant were asked to go home; and that its decision was not selective or discriminatory but affects its entire staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whereof, the defendant denies being liable to the claimant in terms demonstrated in paragraph 14 of his Statement of Facts or in any manner whatsoever and urges this Honorable Court to dismiss the claimant’s suit as being lacking in merit and unsustainable.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The CLAIAMNT’S REPLY TO THE DEFENDANT’S STATEMENT OF DEFENCE</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> dated 8<sup>th</sup> December, 2015 was filed on 10<sup>th</sup> December, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Wherein the claimant refuted the defendant’s assertion that the claimant was not given any letter of appointment, maintaining that what brought him into an employment relationship with the defendant was the mutual understanding as embodied in the defendant’s Agreement of 26/1/2009.The Claimant also denied the defendant’s averments that enhancement of his salaries in March, July and October, 2014 was due to overtime and that claimant was negligent on duty.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant further maintained that he was not negligent in the performance of his duty as a welder in the Mechanical Department/Quarry Crushing Section of the defendant on the day of the Oxygen gas explosion where he was working with other workers and that the assertion that he was alone and negligent is manifestly false and unfounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant reiterated that he suffered permanent injury to his two hands as he can no longer clench his two hands into a closed-tight fist as his ten fingers on both hands can no longer do so to enable him handle something, work or earn a living.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant also denied that his termination was due to redundancy, stating that after a period of about one month treatment and one month recovery period, he was called upon to resume work and did in fact resume in April, 2015. However, that one month later, he was terminated on alleged excuse of redundancy without compensation/financial rehabilitation for his injury in the course of employment whereof this action is founded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the trial the claimant called one witness, the claimant himself who testified as CW, adopted his two written statements on oath dated 8<sup>th</sup> June 2015 and 20<sup>th</sup> December 2015 which were marked as Exhibits C1 and C2 respectively and then proceeded to tender nine (9) other exhibits.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="614" style="width:460.4pt;margin-left:-4.75pt;border-collapse:collapse;border:none; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tbody><tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">S/N<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">TENDER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">BY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">NICN/CA/23/2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">DOCUMENTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">DATED<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">DATE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">TENDER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">MARK<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">1.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Counsel <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Witness on oath <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">10/12/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">10/12/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">CW<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">2.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Written statement on oath<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">8/6/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">3.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Reply on deposition on oath<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">10/12/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ ‘ “ <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">4.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Daily-rated employment<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">26/1/2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">5.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Pay slip of month of March, July & Oct.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">12/2/2014<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C4<sup>2</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">6.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">photo graphics<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">12/2/2014<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">7.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Bakor medical certificate<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">5/2/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">8.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Letter of redundancy<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">11/05/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ ‘ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">9.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Letter from claimants solicitor<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">12/5/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “ <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C8<sup>1</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">10.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Recall to work<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">26/5/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">11.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Annual salary increment/adjust<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">3/2/2014<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">12.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Pay slip for the month of April 2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">28/1/2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">C11<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under cross examination CW testified in reply to the questions that since he was terminated on the 11<sup>th</sup> May 2012 the company should not pay for after that period? CW replied that “They will pay me because I did not leave with my complete body”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He further testified that he had an employment agreement with the defendants and that was what the defendants issued everyone they employed at that site. He stated that the said agreement governs the relationship between the defendants and himself and that they also had a condition of service which he did not tender in court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendants called one witness one Akeem Oladotun Malik, the defendants Administration Manager, who testified as DW adopted his written statement on oath, which was marked Exhibit D1 and tendered two other exhibits. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="614" style="width:460.4pt;margin-left:-4.75pt;border-collapse:collapse;border:none; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tbody><tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Defendant counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Written deposition on oath<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">14/12/2016<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">4/2/2016<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">D1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">2.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Witness on oath<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">4/2/2016<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">DW<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">3.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Temporally closure of operation<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">9/5/2015<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">D2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" valign="top" style="width:19.05pt;border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">4.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="96" valign="top" style="width:1.0in;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> </span></p> </td> <td width="191" valign="top" style="width:143.5pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Conditions of service<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="106" valign="top" style="width:79.55pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">21/11/2006<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top" style="width:83.3pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“ “ “<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="84" valign="top" style="width:63.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1; border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor: text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">D3<sup>17</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In cross examination DW testified that he was not in the site when the gas explosion injuring the claimant occurred but was briefed and that his testimony in court was based on information and what he was briefed. He further testified that it was his duty to notify the National Social Insurance Trust Fund of any accident and attributed the failure to notify NSTIF to the negligence of his former colleague, whose name he could not remember. He also testified that the claimant was not terminated but issued a letter of redundancy dated 19<sup>th</sup> May 2015, based on absence of patronage and nonpayment of debts and that the claimant was recalled by a letter dated 26<sup>th</sup> May 2015 and concluded his testimony and that he was unaware that the claimant had not been compensated for the injury.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> At the close of trial the parties were directed to file their final written addresses and the matter was adjourned to 5<sup>th</sup> May 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The <b>DEFENDANT’S FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS</b> dated 8<sup>th</sup> February, 2016 and filed on 9<sup>th</sup> February, 2016. Wherein they raised one issue for determination:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant has made out a case to be entitled to his claims as demonstrated in his Statement of Facts and recited in the concluding part of his written deposition on oath.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel Effiom Ayi Esq. submitted that the unequivocal and categorical admission and act of the claimant to have signed his deposition before his lawyers, and in his lawyer’s office offends the provision of <b><span style="color:red">Sec. 112 of the Evidence Act, 2011.</span></b> And as such, “the resultant effect and legal implication of the claimant’s act of signing his depositions in his lawyer’s office, before his lawyer is that this Honorable Court cannot even if its impassionate zeal do justice,” countenance same or predicate a judgment upon it. <b><span style="color:red">CHIDUBEM v. EKENNA (2009) ALL FWLR (PT. 455) 1692 @ 1695; CHEVRON NIGERIA LTD. v. ENIOYE (2005) ALL FWLR (PT. 265) 1168; ABALAKA v. MIN. OF HEALTH (2006) 7 NWLR (PT. 978) 117; ADELEKE v. ANIKE (2006) 16 NWLR (PT. 10004) 131 referred to]. P. 1706, PARAS. E-F); BUHARI v. INEC (2009) ALL FWLR (PT. 459) 419 @ 479</span></b>, per <b>Mukhtar, JSC.</b> Learned defence Counsel in furtherance of the argument posited that the word “shall” as used in <b>Sec. 112 Evidence Act</b> connotes imperativeness and mandatories and leaves no room for discretion at all. <b><span style="color:red">EJILEMELE v. OPARA (1988) 9 NWLR (PT. 587) 619, PARAS. C-D </span></b>and submitted that in civil cases, the burden of proof is on he who asserts being the person who will fail if no evidence is adduced at all on either side. <b><span style="color:red">SECTIONS 131 – 133 of the EVIDENCE ACT; AGU v. NNAJI (2003) ALL FWLR (PT. 139 @ 1537; SONFHAI LTD. v. UBA (2004) ALL FWLR (PT. 189) 1244 @ 1258; SOKOTO FURNITURE FACTORY LTD. v. SOCIETE GENERALE BANK (NIG.) LTD. (2003) ALL FWLR (PT. 186) 693.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is defendant counsel’s contention that where an employer has been alleged to breach a contract of employment such an employee has a duty to place before the Court the said condition of service to show what he is entitled to or show the breach complained of. <b><span style="color:red">OKOMU OIL PALM v. ISERHIENRHIEN (2001) 85 (L.R.W.) 873 </span></b>and that it is not the duty of the employer, as defendant, in an action brought by the employee to prove any of their facts. <b><span style="color:red">KATTO v. CBN (1999) 69 LRCN. </span></b>Learned Counsel for the defence further submitted that the relationship between the claimant and the defendant is founded on contract and this Honorable Court cannot read into, vary, add or subtract the terms and conditions of their contractual employment relationship. <b><span style="color:red">EZE v. SPRING BANK PLC (2012) ALL FWLR (PT. 609) 1076; OLANIYAN v. UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS (1985) 2 NWLR (PT. 9) 599; (2001) FWLR (PT. 56) 778.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing that claims 2, 3 and 4 of the claimant are for special damages and that the law is clear that details, particulars and other essential materials should be provided in the pleadings, that they must be particularized and distinct. <b><span style="color:red">NBBB CO. LTD. v. ACB LTD. (2004) SC 32; NEKA LTD. v. A.C.B. (2004) 17 NSCQR 240 @ 264; (2004) ALL FWLR (PT. 198) HOLDING 5 </span></b>and that the burden to show how he arrived at this figures or how he is entitled to those amount rest solely on the shoulders of the claimant which he has failed to prove by demonstrating with credible evidence how he is entitled to the same. <b><span style="color:red">X TOUDOS LTD. v. TATSEL (2006) 26 NSCQR 1185.</span></b> Contending that damages are a form of financial reward for a claimant who has suffered from a wrong caused or precipitated by the wrongful act of conduct of a defendant and that the defendant, even from the claimant’s evidence before this Honorable Court did not cause the claimant’s injury and therefore cannot be liable to pay damages to the claimant. <b><span style="color: red">IJEBU ODE LGA v. BALOGUN (1991) 1 SCNJ 1 (91); ONAGORUWA v. IGP (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 198) 593.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The <b>CLAIMANT’S FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS</b> was dated 15<sup>th</sup> March, 2016 and filed on 16<sup>th</sup> March, 2016. And therein the claimant raised two (2) issues:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant has made out a case to be entitled to his claims as demonstrated in his Statement of Facts and recited in the concluding part of his written deposition on oath.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the conduct of the defendant in terminating the appointment/employment of the claimant without financial rehabilitation following the injury arising from oxygen cylinder explosion of 2<sup>nd</sup> December, 2015 was not unlawful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ON ISSUE 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant has made out a case to be entitled to his claims as demonstrated in his Statement of Facts and recited in the concluding part of his written deposition on oath.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel for the claimant J.U. Adung Esq. contended that defendant Counsel’s submission that there are no competent written depositions by the claimant is grossly misconceived for the following reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant’s counsel at the end of the trial did not object to the tendering of claimant’s Statement on Oath that were admitted as Exhibits C1 and C2 and having consented to their admissibility, cannot turn around to say they are incompetent depositions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant’s counsel, apart from not objecting to the admissibility of Exhibit C1 and C2, replied on Claimant’s written Depositions as he cited its paragraph 14 as contained on page 2 paragraph 2.6 of defendant counsel’s written address.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Thus, it follows that a party cannot rely on or take benefit of a document and turn around to question the legality of same. <b><span style="color:red">ATTORNEY GENERAL OF RIVERS STATE v. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF AKWA IBOM STATE (2011) 8 NWLR (PT. 1248) 31 @ 55</span></b>, per <b>Katsina-Alu, JSC.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant’s written depositions contain photographs of the claimant and were signed by him and had signature of the officers of the National Industrial Court who are authorized officers to take Oath. <b><span style="color:red">SEC. 113 of the EVIDENCE ACT, 2011; UDUMA v. ARUNSI (2012) 7 NWLR (PT. 1298) 55 @ 69.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant Counsel submitted that defendant Counsel’s argument that this Court cannot predicate a judgment on the claimant’s two written depositions because an answer had been elicited from him that he signed in his lawyer’s office, is not a good law; rather, that the position of the law is that any answer elicited from a witness under cross examination based on unpleaded fact, goes to no issue. <b><span style="color:red">EZENWA v. KATSINA STATE HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT BOARD (2011) 9 NWLR P. 89 @ 98.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ON ISSUE 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the conduct of the defendant in terminating the appointment/employment of the claimant without financial rehabilitation following the injury arising from oxygen cylinder explosion of 2<sup>nd</sup> December, 2015 was not unlawful.</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel for the claimant, submitted that even if, assuming but not conceding, the reason for termination was on the basis of “redundancy”, termination of the claimant would still be unlawful because <b><span style="color:red">Sec. 20 (1) (b) of the Labour Act </span></b>was not complied with. He submitted that the claimant’s claim in this suit was his unlawful termination without financial rehabilitation following oxygen explosion that caused him permanent injury which he relies on Employee’s Compensation Act, 2010, for the defendant to compensate him in the sum as claimed in his Complaint and Statement of Facts. Furthermore, contends the claimant counsel, that in the absence of clear terms regarding termination, a resort is to be had to the applicable law when the cause of action arose. <b><span style="color:red">LAGOS STATE BULK PURCHASE CORPORATION v. PURIFICATION TECHNIQUES (NIG.) LTD. (2013) 7 NWLR (PT. 1352) 82 @ 87</span></b>, per I<b>.T. Muhammad, JSC.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the claimant Counsel, Exhibit D2 (the purported terms and conditions of service) relief upon by the defendant is not applicable to this case at all as same was never adopted by the parties. <b><span style="color:red">UNITY BANK PLC v. SOLOMON OWIE (2011) 5 NWLR (PT. 1240) 273 @ 276.</span></b>He argued further, that the pieces of evidence coming from a witness (Akeem Oladuton Muliki, the defendant’s Administrative Manager in Abia State) who did not see or hear but was briefed and whose testimony was based on what was given to him by the defendant must be taken as hearsay evidence. <b><span style="color:red">UKPO v. IMOKE (2009) 1 NWLR (PT. 1121) 90 @ 108,</span></b><span style="color:red"> </span>per <b>Kekere-Ekun, JCA.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Leaned Counsel to the claimant, submitted that as to the claim of #50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) general damages for the claimant’s injury, no proof is required. <b><span style="color:red">UNION BANK OF NIGERIA v. AJABULE (2011) VOL. 12 MJSC 155 @ 159</span></b>, per <b>M. Mohammad, JSC</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The <b>DEFENDANT’S REPLY ADDRESS TO CLAIMANT’S FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS</b> was dated and filed on 28<sup>th</sup> April, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Reacting to claimant counsel’s argument that the defendant counsel did not object to the tendering of the manifestly incompetent claimant’s depositions of 8<sup>th</sup> May and 10<sup>th</sup> December, 2015 (Exhibits C1 and C2) respectively, Defence counsel submitted that the depositions were not sworn to before a person duly authorized and as such, this defect is not that of form to be treated as a mere irregularity or a technical objection, as it is very fundamental and goes to the root of the claimant’s case, thus, robbing this Court of jurisdiction to entertain the case. <b><span style="color:red">UDUMA v. ARUNSI (2012) 9 NWLR (PT. 1298) 55 @ 69</span></b>, per <b>Ogunwumiju, JCA.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Regarding claimant’s issue No. 2 bothering and relating to Employee Compensation Act, Cap LFN, 2004, counsel submitted that a party is bound by what he presents before the Court in his Complaint and Statement of Facts and cannot be allowed to go outside to argue fresh issues. He argued further that nowhere in the entire pleadings and processes filed by the claimant did he make mention of the Employee Compensation Act or that his claims before this Court is predicated on the same. Therefore, that he cannot at the stage of written address seek to make a U-turn and argue an issue different and distinct from what he put forward at the trial.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Counsel of the defendant joining issues with the claimant on the Employee Compensation Act, 2010, argued that same does not entitle the claimant to recover damages of #50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) from the defendant. It is counsel’s submission that a claim under the Employees Compensation Act before this Honorable Court is absolutely misconceived, misleading, incompetent and unmaintainable for the under listed reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant’s claim is inconsistent with the tenor, intendment, procedure and express stipulations of the Act and that the compensation envisaged under the Act is to be calculated and paid by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board and not the employer. Sec. 58 of the Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This case is not on appeal from the decision of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board and as such, the claim for compensation under the Act cannot be entertained by this Honorable Court. And that the Court lacks original jurisdiction to determine the compensation payable to an employee under the Act, as the original jurisdiction to do this belongs to the Board.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A claim for payment of compensation under the Employee Compensation Act ought to be filed before the Board and the individual claimant is under a statutory obligation to scrupulously comply with the procedure stipulated under the Act. sec. 4 of the ECA, 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Defence Counsel submitted that it is preposterous that the claimant is making a claim for payment of millions of naira as hazard, financial rehabilitation and terminal benefits and that outside the Employee Compensation Act, the claimant’s claim is not maintainable and is ipso facto liable to be dismissed. <b><span style="color:red">HUDSON v RIDGE MANUFACTURING CO. LTD. (1957) 2 ALL ER 229.</span></b> Furthermore, that an employee in order to succeed in a claim such as this must not only prove negligence, that is breach of duty by the employer but must also show that such negligence caused or materially contributed to his injury. He must also prove that there is a casual connection between the employer’s negligence and the injury suffered. <b><span style="color: red">MC GHEE v. NATIONAL COAL BOARD (1972) 13 KIR 249.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On 5<sup>th</sup> May 2015, parties adopted their respective written addresses and adumbrated their respective positions accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During adumbration Learned Counsel Ayi for the claimant submitted that the claimants written depositions were incompetent having been signed in the chambers of the claimant counsel and not in court, arguing that the said process contravenes and offends Section 112 of the Evidence Act, Claimant’s Counsel continued that the Terms of employment were not pleaded and with regard to the claimants claim for special damages, such damages are required to be pleaded, particularized and strictly proved submitting that the claimant has failed so to do. Arguing that the reference of the claimant counsel for the Employees Compensation Act in their final address is of no import citing <b><span style="color:red">UBN Vs. AJUDULU [2011] MJSC 169</span></b>. Urging the court to dismiss the claimant’s case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel for the claimant during adumbration submitted that the claimant was never informed of his NSTIF benefits, reiterated the position in their final written address that their statements on oath are competent and directed the courts attention to the defendants paragraph 2.7 – 2.4 arguing that the defendant position was not supported by law and that section 58 was not applicable. Urging the court to grant the claimants claims as the only defendants witness testimony was based on hearsay.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;tab-stops:407.25pt"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Court’s Decision<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I have carefully summarized the evidence of both sides, the arguments of opposing counsel and having carefully reviewed all the authorities cited, read through all the relevant processes and digested the contention of the parties and their written submission are herewith incorporated in this Judgement and specific mention would be made to them where the need arises. The issue for determination in this suit to my mind is <b>whether the claimant has made out a case to be entitled to his claims.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before </span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">delving into the merits of the case it is necessary to address the issue raised with heavy weather by both parties with regard to Exhibits C1 and C2, the witness statement of oath of the claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the trial claimant in response to the question of the defendants counsel <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ayi Esq. - “<i>You signed C1 and C2 (referring to Exhibits C1 and C2) in your house or in your lawyer’s office</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">And the claimant replied <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant “<i>In my lawyer’s office</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the defendant the act of the claimant signing his deposition before his lawyers, and in his lawyer’s office offends the provision of <b><span style="color:red">Sec. 112 of the Evidence Act, 2011.</span></b> And as a result of this, Court cannot do justice, countenance or predicate its judgment on such statements on oath. Citing <b><span style="color:red">CHIDUBEM v. EKENNA Supra; CHEVRON NIGERIA LTD. v. ENIOYE Supra: ABALAKA v. MIN. OF HEALTH (Supra); ADELEKE v. ANIKE (Supra) BUHARI v. INEC (Supra)</span>.</b> Arguing that the use of the word “shall” in <b>Sec. 112 Evidence Act</b> connotes imperativeness and mandatories and leaves no room for discretion. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the claimant, as far as the defendants did not object Exhibits C1 and C2 and having consented to their admissibility, they cannot turn around to say they are incompetent depositions. Especially as the defendants relied on those exhibits in paragraph 14 as contained on page 2 paragraph 2.6 of their written address.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing that a party cannot rely on or take benefit of a document and turn around to question the legality of same. <b><span style="color:red">ATTORNEY GENERAL OF RIVERS STATE v. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF AKWA IBOM STATE (2011) 8 NWLR (PT. 1248) 31 @ 55</span></b>, per <b>Katsina-Alu, JSC.</b> And that these written depositions of the claimant were signed by him and had a signature of the officers of the National Industrial Court who are authorized officers to take Oath. <b><span style="color:red">SEC. 113 of the EVIDENCE ACT, 2011; UDUMA v. ARUNSI (Supra).</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Further arguing that as answer; that the claimant signed the depositions in his lawyer’s office had been elicited from him during cross examination and the position of the law is that any answer elicited from a witness under cross examination based on facts not pleaded, go to no issue. The whole contention of the defendants goes to no issue, citing <b><span style="color:red">EZENWA v. KATSINA STATE HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT BOARD (Supra).</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is of worth to note that both the dicta cited by the defendant in support of their objection stem from Election matters and it is trite law that Election matters are a sui generis and the pronouncements made by the Learned jurist in those cases where not in respect of statements on oath in a regular court or even a specialized labour court such as the National Industrial Court designed to enthrone the justice of the matter without undue reliance of strict form or technicality, in fact the provisions of Section 36 and 37 of the Trade Disputes Act 2004, section 12 of the National Industrial Court Act 2006, all work together to make this possible given that this court is generally enjoined to be flexible and less formal; and while it is enjoined to apply the rules of evidence, it may depart from it in the interest of justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This flexibility is not geared at through an impassioned zeal to do justice but from the deep bowels of the realization that this Court’s jurisdiction is invoked not for the enforcement of mere contractual rights but for preventing labour practices regarded as unfair and for restoring industrial peace as was described in <b><span style="color:red;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">NTF MILLS LTD V. THE 2<sup>ND</sup> PUNJAB TRIBUNAL, AIR 1957 SC 329</span></b> by the Supreme Court of India.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The position of the law is as was stated in the case of </span><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red">UDEAGHA &ANOR Vs. OMEGARA & ORS [2010] LPELR 385 CA </span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">in this case the issue was whether an adopted statement of a witness is different from an affidavit in evidence and that Court held as follows “Let us not forget that statements of witnesses which are adopted during oral evidence on oath are different from mere affidavit evidence which stand on their own without any oral backup and which are not subject to cross examination. It is such affidavit evidence which do not meet the requirements of Section 90 of the Evidence Act that are intrinsically inadmissible” Per Ogwumiwmiju JCA (P. 18, Para E-F). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">That being the case I find that deposition of the claimant Exhibit C1 and C2 in this matter were properly admitted as the evidence of the claimant and I shall consider them on their merit. I resolve this issue against the defendant in favour of the claimant.</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now to the issues in for determination: <b>Whether the claimant has made out a case to be entitled to his claims.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claims of the claimant are as follows; -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the reprehensible conduct of the defendant in termination of my employment having suffered fatal injury in the course of employment with the defendant without financial rehabilitation was unwarranted, unlawful, null and void.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that I am entitled to my accrued monthly salary in the sum of #80,462.00 (Eighty Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Two Naira) from May, 2015 till judgment is delivered being special damages representing gross pay in October, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A sum of #50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) being the resultant hazard to have suffered in the course of my employment without any financial rehabilitation from the defendant, as well as my terminal benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A sum of #300,000.00 (Three Hundred thousand Naira) as cost of litigation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Relief 1 is for a pronouncement of the court on the act of the defendants in termination of the claimant without paying him compensation for the injury he sustained in the course of serving the defendants. Although this case smacks of a wrongful termination suit it is not one, the claimant had during court in response to the question from the defendant counsel <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ayi Esq. <i>-Your employment was terminated because the company had close down?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">And the claimant replied;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant-<i>Yes, but some people were still there. I am in court for my injury not for the termination of my employment<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Claimant debunked the idea that he was seeking redress for his termination, I shall come back to this point later in this judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The question here is 1. Is the claimant entitled to compensation? and 2 was the defendant wrong in terminating the claimant without paying the said compensation? as stated above the claimant is not contesting the termination as he answered “yes” in open court during cross examination to the defendants question “whether the defendants had the right to terminate his appointment when they no longer had need of it”. So the question in summary is whether the claimant is entitled to compensation and are the defendants not obligated to pay this compensation before terminating him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The case of the claimant is that he was injured following an explosion from oxygen cylinder which left him with inflammatory skin burns that permanently crippled his fingers on both hands, that when the explosion occurred his coworkers doubted he would survive, and that he was rushed to hospital unconscious and admitted in hospital for one month leaving him with permanent disability as he can no longer clench his two hands into a closed-tight fist of his ten fingers on both hands and that he can no longer hold or handle something, work and which has incapacitated his ability to work and earn a living. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In support of this position the claimant tendered and relied on two photographs; described by the claimant as digital, showing the claimant’s face and upper torso (front) scorched with burns revealing white dermis. In law the claimant is required to tender not only the photograph but also the negative the claimant described his photographs as digital dispensing with the requirement for a negative, see <b>UKPONG & ORS Vs. CROSS LINES LTD. & ORS [2016] LPELR CA (CA/C/20/2011) </b>however the court would also require a sworn deposition by the photographer stating the time and date of the photograph to enable this court determine the authenticity of the said photographs and the quantum of weight to be placed on these photographs<b>. AGDANNA Vs. OWA & ORS [1999] LPELR CA (CA/A/12/97)<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant also tendered Exhibit C6 a letter from Bakor Medical Centre Calabar reproduced below;-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">BAKOR MEDICAL CENTRE, CALABAR<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Murtala Mohammed Highway<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Opposite Oando/NNPC Petrol Station<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Federal Housing Estate<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Calabar Cross River State<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nigeria<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> 5<sup>th</sup> February 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">RE: SIMON CHUKWU: SEX: MALE: AGE: 50 YEARS HOSP. NO 40316<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The above named patient presented in our facility about 2 months ago (02/12/2014) with complaints of burns injury due to electrocution.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Clinical examination revealed 1</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Cambria Math","serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Cambria Math"">⁰</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burns involving the face, abdomen, anterior chest wall and upper extremities.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A diagnosis of superficial 1</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Cambria Math","serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Cambria Math"">⁰</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burns was made and appropriate treatment was given for a cumulative period of 29 days within the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He was however discharged to continue recuperating at home for another estimated period of 1 month.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Kindly give him necessary assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Thank you<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> (Signed)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr. Oje J. O.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Medical Officer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant’s position is that the claimant was the person who lit the fire which resulted in the explosion and denied that the claimant suffered any permanent disability resulting from the accident as he was treated and discharged for the injuries.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant denies that the assertion that he was alone and was negligent as manifestly false and unfounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The photographs clearly show the claimant as suffering burns but the legal requirement to enable this court attach any weight to these exhibits have not been met and so this court is unable to rely on or attach any weight to Exhibit C5.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimants medical certificate Exhibit C6 also fails to support the assertions of the claimant. The claimant founds his claim on permanent injury but Exhibit C6 describes the injuries as superficial 1</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria Math","serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Cambria Math"">⁰</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burns that is (1<sup>st</sup> degree burns).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore Exhibit C6 describes the injuries as being sustained by electrocution whereas the case before the court is that the claimant lit a fire which ignited a gas explosion. Although the very first mention of the incident in the claimants statement of fact and Exhibit C1 mention a electrocution/explosion except in paragraph 5 and Averment 6 respectively all other evidence in this court refer to the incident as an explosion. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The exhibit made no mention of the prognosis, how damaged the claimant was by the burns, the nature of disability suffered, the required treatment and for how long the treatment would be required. Medical evidence is required to be clear and concise to enable the court determine the degree of discomfort and deprivation the injury would result, this exhibit C6 did not do. In fact the Healthline Electronic Medical Encyclopedia (Mobile Friendly Version) 2016 describes first degree burn as follows “A first degree burn also called a superficial burn or wound….first degree burns are one of the mildest form of skin injuries, and they usually do not require medical treatment….The symptoms of 1<sup>st</sup> degree burns are often minor and tend to heal after several days”. The medical report is not in conformity with the injuries described by the claimant and he has tendered no further or other medical evidence or specialist dermatologist report to explain the difference between his injuries as he describes them and Exhibit C6.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This translates to the fact that the claimant has not proved the nature or degree of his injuries to the court to enable the court make a determination as to compensation. <b>UBN & ANOR Vs. AYODARE AND SONS (NIG.) LTD. AND ANOR [2007] LPELR 3391 SC</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore barring a general duty of care which the defendants would owe any passer by the claimant has not put before the court the agreement or contract which predisposes him to make a particular claim for compensation as I agree with the defendants that the claimant did not plead or prove their entitlement under the Employers Compensation Act 2010 either can the belated reference to that act in his final written address cure this defect as the address of counsel has long been held not to constitute evidence. Furthermore even if the claimant sought to make a claim under the Employee’s Act 2010, not only have the necessary ingredients not been established the issue of jurisdiction would arise by virtue over the fact that this court is not a court first instance for the purposes of the Employee’s Compensation Act i.e. for enforcing this claim unlike under its predecessor the Workmen’s Compensation which gave the injured the option of choice. For by virtue section 2(2) of the Employee’s Compensation Act 2010, the implementation of the Act and the Fund established under section 56 is vested in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board. It is to this Board that a deserving employee must apply for compensation. It is when the employee is dissatisfied with the decision of the Board that an appeal shall lie to this Court under section 55(4) of the Act. See the case of <b><span style="color:red">SUIT NO. NICN/LA/406/2012 </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">MR. MASHOOD </span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">Vs.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red;mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC, </span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">delivered on April 29, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In order to obtain a declaratory relief the claimant is required to prove to the court his entitlement to such a relief. In the instant case the claimant has failed to prove his entitlement or even his justification to compensation and as such this claim consequently fails.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The 2<sup>nd</sup> relief is for a declaration that the claimant is entitled to special damages;-his salary based on his gross pay in October 2014 from May 2015 until the day the judgment is given in this court. Now the claimant has not put before the court any rationale to justify firstly the use of his October 2014 gross salary to determine his earning for the period of May 2015 until judgment is given. A gross salary represent the total earning of an individual before statutory deductions such as taxes and then other deduction. The claimant has asked the court to declare that he is entitled to his total emolument and not liable to pay tax or any other contractual deduction for the period this matter was in court without presenting to the court the legal basis of factual situation to warrant such an order. Secondly and more importantly the claimant has not established his entitlement to salary up until judgment. Especially as the claimant is not contesting his termination. Although the claimant tendered Exhibit C7 as the letter of termination which stated that the reason for termination as redundancy, which is reason which the court would have required the defendants to prove or in the words of the Learned <b>Author Odabi Osaretin Kingsley in his book <u>Case Law Annotation of Public Service Rules in Nigeria</u>© 2013 Evergreen Overseas Publication Benin City, at page 86 “</b>compel the employer to produce proof of such circumstance warranting the termination of the employee”. See the case of (unreported) <b><span style="color:red">SUIT NO: NICN/CA/127/2013 FELIX IMOH ETIM & 23 ORS Vs. ALCON NIGERIA LTD & ANOR</span> </b>delivered on 29<sup>th</sup> APRIL 2016 and <b>(</b>unreported<b>) <span style="color:red">SUIT NO. NICN/LA/426/2012</span></b> <b><span style="color:red">STEPHEN IMUZEI AKHIOJEMI & ANOR V. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COLLEGE OF NIGERIA & ANOR. </span></b>This however is not the situation in this case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is only in an established case of wrongful termination and a pronouncement that the employees employment is subsisting (such in a statutory appointment or fixed contract) that the issue of salary until judicial determination pronouncement can be contemplated. This relief therefore fails.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The third relief is for N50, 000, 000.00 (fifty Million Naira) as a result of the hazard the claimant suffered without financial rehabilitation and his terminal benefit. What this translates to is that the claimant is asking for N50, 000.00 as general damages flowing form the non payment by the defendant of his financial rehabilitation or compensation. The claimant has not shown to the court how he arrived at N50, 000, 000.00 neither has he presented any evidence as to what he is entitled to as terminal benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Now having found that the claimant has not proved the exact nature or degree of his injury to the court the question of damages or resultant hazard would fail being contingent on the injury.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">the fact of injury to the claimant is not in doubt. The fact that the injury occurred at work is also not in doubt. This accordingly makes the injury one that is work related having occurred in the course of employment; and I so find and hold. See</span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">MR. CHARLES NWAOSA Vs. PORTS & TERMINAL MULTISERVICE LTD & ANOR</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red;mso-bidi-font-style: italic"> </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-style:italic">unreported <b>Suit No. NIC/LA/262/2012</b> the judgment of which was delivered on July 17, 2013, and in order to succeed in a claim for damages the claimant is to prove to the court that the injury he sustained was as a result of the negligence of the defendant, nowhere in the claimants pleadings nor in court did the claimants contend that the defendant was negligent. Rather it was the defendant who argued that the injury was as a result of the claimant lighting the fire that led to the explosion submitting that the equipment had never been reported to be defective and that the claimant was negligent. The defendants contend that as responsible and responsive company the claimant was taken to the hospital and his bill settled by them. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Although the defendant did not elaborate as to how the claimant was negligent and lightening a fire or where no one else was present, the contention would not without more absolve the defendants of their responsibility in line with the position of the law following authorities of <b><span style="color:red">WESTERN NIGERIA TRADING CO. LTD V. AJAO [1965] ALL NLR</span></b><span style="color:red;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> <b>524</b></span> which held that it is employer’s duty at common law is not only to provide the employee with goggles, but also to see to it that they are used. In like manner, <b><span style="color:red">GREEN PACK RUBBER IND. LTD V. OSSAI [2004] 2 FWLR (PT. 194) 668, </span></b>as well as <b>Section 23 of the Factories Act, 2004 </b>enjoins that no person should be employed at any machine or in any process being a machine or process liable to cause bodily injury, unless he has been fully instructed as to the dangers likely to arise in connection therewith and the precautions to be observed. All this as well as the employer’s liability at common law; - a general duty to take reasonable care to avoid injuring their neighbours. See<i> </i><b><span style="color:red">ADETONA V. EDET [2004] 16 NWLR (PT. 899) 338. </span></b>There is, therefore, no proof that the defendants observed any of the duties imposed on them or that their acts come within the qualification stated above</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">From the forgoing I find that the defendants as employers have a duty of care toward the health, safety and well being of their employees and mere taking to hospital and paying of hospital bill do not adequately fulfill that duty. The claimant has pleaded that he was physically traumatized, devastated humiliated and rendered helpless due to the non receipt of any financial rehabilitation. The claimant from all indications has suffered some losses, and by virtue of Section 19(d) of the National Industrial Court (NIC) Act 2006 this Court is empowered to make “an award of compensation or damages in any circumstances contemplated by this Act or any Act of the National Assembly dealing with any matter that the Court has jurisdiction to hear”. Section 254C(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, gives this Court jurisdiction over the “Workmen’s Compensation Act” or any other Act or Law…replacing it such as the Employee’s Compensation Act 2010, but the claimant has not shown to the court under which law he is entitled to compensation or a lump sum as compensation or damages as prescribed by Section 19. This court has determined that the claimant did indeed suffer a workplace injury. Now Section 14 provides that the Court shall in the exercise of the jurisdiction vested in it by or under this Act in every cause or matter, have power to grant, either absolutely or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just, all remedies whatsoever as any of the parties thereto may appear to be entitled to in respect of any legal or equitable claim properly brought forward by the Court so that as far as possible so that all matters in dispute between the parties may be completely an finally determined and all multiplicity of suit concerning any of this matters is avoided. I find that this is a just cause in which the claimant would be entitled to a lump as compensation for the injury he sustained at the workplace of the defendant. This relief therefore succeeds in part.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Relief four is for cost of the suit, cost is a discretionary relief which the court would provide on being satisfied of the deserts of such a relief. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For avoidance of doubt reliefs; 1, 2, fail and are hereby dismissed. Relief 3 succeeds in part only;-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is hereby ordered as follows;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant shall pay to the claimant the sum of N200, 000.00 being a lump sum payment under the combined provision of Section 14 and of the National Industrial Court Act [2006] as compensation/damages for his workplace injury.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:407.25pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Cost of this suit is put a N50, 000.00 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">All sum payable within 30 days thereafter same shall attract interest at the rate of 10% per annum until liquidated. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Judgment is hereby entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">………………………………………….<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Justice E. N. Agbakoba<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presiding Judge Calabar Division.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;tab-stops:407.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">RESEARCHED AUTHORITIES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red">SA’EED V. YAKOWA (2013) 7 NWLR (PT. 1352) 124 @ 133 S.C.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Attitude of courts to technicalities –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is the paramount duty of courts to do justice and not to cling to technicalities inherent in rules of court so long as same have been substantially complied with and the object of the rules is not defeated, and the failure to comply has not occasioned a miscarriage of justice. In the instant case, there was procedural irregularity, but it was one which did not lead to any miscarriage of justice. Such a procedural irregularity should not vitiate the petition in the prevailing circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Per <b>NGWUTA, J.S.C.</b> at pages 164-165 PARAS. D-A:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“…<i>Be that as it may, the spirit shall prevail over the letter of the law. In the quest for the elusive abstraction called justice, our laws and rules have come of age. Technicality with its stifling strictures must yield place to substantial justice. The purpose of pre-hearing notice is to inform the parties of the impending hearing and to ensure attendance at the hearing. If for any reason or by any means this purpose is achieved without formal application for issuance of pre-hearing notice, a party who has taken part in the proceedings cannot be heard to argue that the rule was not complied with, more so when there is no allegation of miscarriage of justice from the non-compliance</i><span style="color:red">. IPINLAIYE II V. OLUKOTUN (1996) 6 NWLR (PT. 453) 148; AKHIWU V. PRINCIPAL LOTTERIES OFFICER MIDWESTERN STATE (1972) 1 ALL NLR (PT. 1) 229; OKWECHIME V. PHILIP IGBINADOLOR (1964) NMLR 132.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">OLORUNTOBA-OJU V. ABDUL-RAHEEM (2009) 13 NWLR (PT. 1157) 83,</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Held:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Attitude of Court to technicality –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">“Nowadays, courts denounce judgments by mere technicality. Courts are set up to do substantial justice and in the pursuit of the substantial justice, all forms of technicalities which will act as detriments to the determination of the substantial issues between litigants must be shunned. Thus, although rules of court should be complied with by parties to a suit, it is also in the interest of justice that parties should be afforded a reasonable opportunity, in appropriate circumstances, for their claims to be adequately investigated and properly determined on merit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">NWORA v. NWABUEZE (2013) 16 NWLR (PT. 1379) 1 S.C.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Law applicable to a cause of action –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">An action is governed by the substantive law applicable and in force at the time the cause of action arose. <span style="color:red">AGBAJO v. A.G., FED. (1986) 2 NWLR (PT. 23) 528; UWAIFO v. A.G. BENDEL STATE (1983) 4 NCLR 1.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">L.S.B.P.C. v. PURIFICATION TECH. (NIG.) LTD. (2013) 7 NWLR (PT. 1352) 82 @ 87-88<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Law applicable to cause of action –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">In any proceeding, the applicable law is the law in force at the time the cause of action arose and not the law at the time the jurisdiction of the court was invoked. In other words, the applicable law to a cause of action is the law prevailing at the time the cause of action arose notwithstanding that the law had been revoked at the time the action is being tried. In the instant case, the applicable law was Edict No. 17 of 1986 which was the existing law when the cause of action accrued. <b><span style="color:red">MUSTAPHA V. GOV., LAGOS STATE (1987) 2 NWLR (PT. 58) 539; ALAO V. AKANO (1988) 1 NWLR (PT. 71) 431.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">CHUKWUDINMA v. ACCESS BANK PLC (2015) 52 NLLR (PT. 176) 513 @ 519 NIC<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Impropriety of passing on the burden of solicitor’s fees on the opponent and On Whether solicitor’s fees can be claimed as part of damages<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">It is unethical and an affront to public policy to pass on the burden of solicitor’s fees to the other party. It is an unusual claim and it is difficult to accept in this country as things stand today for party claiming solicitor’s fees from the opponent. The issue of damages as an aspect of solicitor’s fees is not on that lends itself to support in this country. In the instant case, the claimant claimed the sum of #3, 000, and 000.00 as legal fees and also as general damages and the situation is worse because the claimant did not give any evidence on the amount that his solicitor is claiming. <span style="color:red">S.P.D.C. v. OKONEDO (2007) ALL FWLR (PT. 368) 1104 @ 1137-1138, PARAS. E-D; NWAJI v. COASTAL SERV. (NIG.) LTD (2004) 11 NWLR (PT. 885): (2004) LPELR – SC.151/1999; (2004) 18 NSCQR 895 @ P. 18, PARAS. B-E referred to.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:red"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">FEDERAL AIRPORTS AUTHORITY v. NWOYE (2015) 53 NLLR (PT. 180) 446 CA @ 455<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Whether a legal step taken by a person can validate an illegal step taken by another person<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">A legal step taken by a person cannot validate an illegal step/action taken by another person. In the instant case, the fact that the cross-appellant made Exhibits M, N, O, P and Q in respect of his unpaid salaries, allowances and retirement benefits could not have validated his purported retirement which was declared null and void by the court below. <span style="color:red">ADENIYI v. GOVERNING COUNCIL OF YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (2003) 6 NWLR (PT. 300) 426 @ 462.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>