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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">O. S. Omogbai with R.Y. Ashiru and A.A. Adegoke for the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Akin Adepoju for Defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGMENT</span></u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">1. Introduction & Claims</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On 22/12/14, the Claimant filed his <i>Form 1 </i>and sought the following reliefs against the Defendants -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. The sum of Eight Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand and Fifty Naira (=N=863,050.00) only being unpaid monthly salaries, allowances and one month salary in lieu of notice from 20th day of October, 2009 to 31st day of March, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (=N=250,000.00) being Solicitors' fees.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant's <i>Form 1 </i>was accompanied by statement of facts, Claimant's statement on oath, Verifying Affidavit and copies of documents to be relied on at trial. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">2. Counter claims<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant reacted by filing a statement of defence on 18/2/15 and counter claimed as follows -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. A Declaration that the Defendants/Counter-Claimants are not indebted to the Claimant/Defendant to the Counterclaim in the sum of =N=863,050.00 or any sum whatsoever. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Payment of the sum of =N=241 ,808.76 being the value of the stock of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant/Counter-Claimant which the Claimant/Defendant to the Counter-Claim sold on behalf of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant/Counter-Claimant but failed to remit to it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. Interest on the said sum of N241,808.76 at the rate of 21% per annum from 1<sup>st </sup> April 2014 until judgment and thereafter at the post judgment rate of 10% per annum until the debt is fully liquidated. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. Cost of N350,000 being the Solicitors’ professional fee for this action.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">3. Case of the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The trial of this case commenced on 2/3/16 when the Claimant testified as <i>CW1. </i>Witness adopted his written deposition dated 22/12/14 as his evidence in chief and tendered 14 documents. The documents were admitted as exhibits and marked as <i>Exh. C1-Exh. C14. </i>The case of the Claimant as gathered from his pleadings is that he was employed by the 1st Defendant by a letter dated 20/10/09 and placed him on probation as Senior Sales Executive; that his appointment was confirmed on 1/11/11 by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendants letter dated 31/10/11; that the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant is the Managing Director and the alter ego of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant runs and determines the day to day affairs of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that he served the company meritoriously, loyally and unblemished from 20/10/09 – 31/3/14 before the company served him with Letter of Termination dated 31/5/14. Claimant further averred that the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants did not pay him one month salary in lieu of Notice in compliance with my letter of employment and company employees conditions of service/handbook policy; that as at 31/3/14 the company was owing him outstanding unpaid salaries, allowances and one month salary in lieu of notice totaling =N=863,050.00 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand and Fifty Naira) only and that the sum of N863,050.00 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand and Fifty Naira) only being my outstanding salaries, Allowances and one month salary in lieu of the notice is outstanding and unpaid to him by the Defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under cross examination, the witness testified that <i>Exh. C1 and Exh. C9</i> govern his employment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that his key resource area is the Sales I made while with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that by <i>Exh. C1</i> he was to be confirmed after 6 months of probation but by <i>Exh. C 2</i> he was confirmed after 2 years; that occasionally he met the target set out in <i>Exhibit C3; </i>that even when he met the target his salary was not paid fully; that he complained as necessary to his Line Manager – Mr Akpaida Olugbenga after every trip in writing and that he wrote a memo to Mr. Akpaida dated 18/9/13. Witness added that in addition to the sum stated in <i>Exhibit C14</i>, he was also entitled to 2% commission on sales made by him; that the practice at the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is that as a Sales Executive he was a</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">llowed to sell books at 20% discount; that he is entitled to outstation allowance of =N=4,000.00 per day; that he has not paid the outstanding debt of =N=241,808.00 because the Defendants have not paid money owed to him; that his pension was not being paid; that he did not check whether pension remittances were made or not and that he has not complained to Pension Commission before instituting this action.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">4. Case of the Defendants<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant opened its defence on 2/3/16. Its sole witness was one Johnson Abdul who testified as <i>DW1. DW1 </i>adopted his witness deposition dated 18/2/16 as his evidence in chief and tendered a document as exhibit. same was admitted and marked as <i>Exh. D1. </i>The case of the Defendants is that the Claimant is not entitled to the sum of =N=863,050.00 as it was not part of his terms of </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">employment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that the bulk of the claim of the Claimant being a purported out of station allowance was not applicable to him as same was not part of his entitlements; that though the Claimant was entitled to a sum of =N=101,716.67 as unpaid salary as specified in his letter of termination, same was contingent on his recovery of trade debts of =N=241,808.76 incurred by the Claimant and that the said sum of =N=241,808.76 and a sum of =N=350,000 constituted the Counter-Claim of the Defendants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under cross examination, the witness testified that he was conversant with the policy of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that he has been working with 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant for one year; that he knows the Claimant as an ex staff of 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that while with 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant Claimant was a Sales/Marketing Executive; that no notice of termination was given to the Claimant; that part of the shortcomings of the Claimant resulted in his being confirmed after 2 years; that there were queries issued to the Claimant; that staff entitled to out of station allowances are office-based staff; that 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s handbook contains general terms and that respecting the staff, applicable conditions of terms are contained in circulars which are released from time to time. Witness added that he has travelled out of station before and drew allowance; that he is an office based staff; that he is entitled to =N=7,000 as out of station allowance per day; that I.O.U does not mean the same as transport allowance; that 7.5% of Claimant salary is deducted monthly as pension contribution; that same 7.5% is contributed by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; that he does not </span><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">evidence of remittances with him in Court; that he does not know if Claimant was paid his leave allowance for 2013; that he treats matters of about 100 staff; that 2013 is a fair long time; that 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant policy provides for transport allowance; that he does not know if the Claimant was paid transport allowance for January – March 2014 and that Claimant has not been paid one month salary in lieu of notice because he has not paid the money he owes the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">5. Submissions on behalf of the Defendants<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the conclusion of trial and pursuant to Court's direction, learned Counsel on either side filed their final written addresses. The final written address of the Defendant and 11-page document was filed on 6/4/16. In it, learned Counsel set down the following issues for determination -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. Whether the Claimant is entitled to out of station allowance as part of his emoluments when it is not a term of his contract of employment with the Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether the Claimant is entitled to the relief being sought in respect of his pension contribution when he has not complied with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. Whether the Defendants were entitled to their Counter-Claim based on the admission of the Claimant that the unremitted proceeds of the Defendant’s stock sold by him should be set off from his entitlement. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing issue 1, learned Counsel contended that a contract of employment is the bedrock upon which an aggrieved employee must found his case; that to same are bound by the contents and that the Court will not look outside of the contract in deciding the rights and obligation of the parties, citing <i>Gateway Bank of Nigeria Plc v. Adebiyi Julius Abosede (2005)4 NLLR (Pt. 10) 289 at 314, A.G Nasarawa State v. A.G Plateau State (2012)3 MJSC (Pt. 111)118, Bookshop House v. Stanley Consultants (1986)3 NWLR (Pt. 26) 87 & African Reinsurance Corporation v. Fataye (1986)1 NWLR (Pt. 14) 113. </i>Counsel submitted that in the instant case the Claimant has the burden of proving that his terms of employment provided for the claims he is making and that the Claimant has failed to discharge the said burden. Counsel conceded that <i>Art. 19 </i>of <i>Exh. C9 </i>provides that the Defendant would pay out of station allowance ''as applicable to the category of staff'' but that the said Article did not specify the category of staff it applies to. Counsel referred to the testimony of <i>DW1 </i>who stated that out of station allowance was applicable only to <i>office based </i>staff and that the Claimant being a marketing staff was not so entitled to this benefit. Respecting the claim for unpaid salaries and allowances, Counsel submitted that the figures stated in his claim contradict the figure specified as his entitlement in <i>Exh. C5</i>, that in <i>Exh. C5 </i>the total sum was =N=149,750.00 while the claim before the Court is =N=199,050.00. Counsel urged the Court to rely on the 1st Defendant's figure of =N=101,716.67 stated in <i>Exh. C6 </i>and which was in line with the conditions of service of the Claimant as contained in <i>Art. 17 </i>of <i>Exh. C9 </i>adding that even the payment of this sum is contingent upon the payment of =N=241,808.76 by the Claimant. Finally, learned Counsel prayed the Court to hold that the Claimant is not entitled to the relief of =N=664,000.00 as out of station allowance or unpaid November, 2013 salary of =N=62,000.00 when there was no provision for such in his contract of employment, citing <i>Ports & Cargo Handling Services Co. Limited & Ors. v. Migfo Nigeria Limited & Anor. (2012)6-7 MJSC (Pt. IV) 1 at 26.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On claim for pension contribution, learned Counsel submitted that the Claimant has not satisfied the provisions of <i>Pension Reforms Act, 2014 </i>in that he has not shown that he opened a retirement savings account with a Pension Fund Administrator and informed the Defendant as required by Section 15(1) & (2) of the <i>Pension Reform Act </i>and that in any event the Claimant has not established that any deduction was made from his salary for pension and not remitted. Counsel urged the Court to so hold. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With respect to issue 3, Counsel argued that the Claimant by <i>Exh. C5 </i>admitted the sum of =N=241,808.76 representing the unremitted proceeds of sales made by him but wanted the Defendant to set it off against the purported indebtedness of the 1st Defendant. This, according to learned Counsel, was an express and unambiguous admission of liability on the part of the Claimant. Citing <i>Federal Ministry of Health v. C.S.A Limited (2009)All FWLR (Pt. 483) 1260 & Victoria Ventures Limited v. N. Van Der Zwan & ZNBV (2009) All FWLR (Pt. 490) 756</i> prayed the Court to so hold. Finally, Counsel urged the Court to by <i>Exh. C5 </i>the Claimant has admitted the counter claim of the Defendant, dismiss the case of the Claimant and enter Judgment in terms of the counterclaim of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">6. Submissions on behalf of the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The 15 page final written address of the Claimant was dated 25//16 and filed on 27/4/16. Learned Counsel canvassed 2 main issues on behalf of the Claimant for determination. They are as follows -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1 Whether the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant Company Policy and Conditions of Employment <i>Exh. C9</i> formed part of the claimant's terms of employment to entitle him to his claim. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether the Claimant is indebted to the Defendant to entitle the Defendants/ Counterclaimants to his claim?.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue, learned Counsel submitted that the Defendants conceded that the Company Policy handbook (<i>Exh. C9) </i>also governs the terms of employment of the Claimant and that by <i>Art. 19 </i>of same touring allowances such as out of station allowance shall be paid as applicable to the grade of staff and that nowhere in the documentary evidence of the Defendants did the Defendants prove that out of station allowance was abrogated or cancelled or that it is not applicable to the Claimant. Learned Counsel added that the evidence of <i>DW1 </i>to the effect that out of station allowance was not applicable to ''office based'' staff was not tenable since same was not supported by any memorandum or exhibit before the Court. Counsel submitted that parties are bound by the terms of their contract and that parties in the instant case are bound by <i>Exh. C9. </i>Counsel cited <i>Koiki v. Magnusson (1999)5 S.C (Pt. 11) 30, Union Bank Nigeria Limited v. Umeh & Sons Limited (1966)1 NWLR (Pt. 426) 565 & Idufueko v. Pfizer Products Limited & Ors. (2014)5-6 S.C (Pt. 111) 80.</i> It was the argument of Counsel that it is illogical and irrational for <i>DW1 </i>an 'office based' to be paid out of station allowance whenever he travelled out of his station while a 'field based' staff like the Claimant who travelled on sales trip with its attendant risk to generate funds for the Defendants to be denied out of station allowance. Counsel urged the Court to resolve this issue in favour of the Claimant. Respecting issue of pension contributions and deductions to <i>ARM Pension Limited, </i>learned Counsel submitted that ''... on a careful examination of Exhibit C10, it is observed that there is no evidence of Pension Contributions by the Claimant, consequently, the Claimant's claim on this head is hereby abandoned''.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 2 whether the Defendant/Counter claimant is entitled to its counter claim, Counsel referred to <i>Exh. C5, </i>submitted that under cross examination, the Claimant conceded that he is indebted to the Defendant in the sum of =N=241,808 and that same be off-set from his final entitlement and that in view of this admission by the Claimant he concedes to this head of claim and urge the Court to so hold. Finally, learned prayed the Court to hold that the Claimant under the terms of his contract of employment with the 1st Defendant is entitled to out station allowance and that his unpaid November, 2013 salary, his leave allowance for 2013, his transport allowance for January - March 2014, Medical allowance of =N=18,750.00 and one month salary in lieu of notice be paid to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">7. Decision<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I read and understood all the processes filed by learned Counsel for the parties. I listened with attention to the oral testimonies of witnesses called, watched their demeanour and carefully evaluated all the exhibits tendered and admitted. I also heard the oral submissions of learned Counsel on either side. Having done all this, I narrow the issue for the just determination of this case to be 2 as follows -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. Whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to all or some of the reliefs sought.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether the Defendants have led credible, cogent and admissible evidence in support of their counter claims.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In employment contract, just like any other contracts, parties are bound by the terms and conditions regulating th<b>e </b>contract. Parties under same are therefore bound to adhere to the rights, obligations and liabilities accruing form one to the<b> </b>other. If and when there are disputes arising from the contract, the duty of the Court is simply to construe the contractual document between the parties. It is not for the Court to make a contract for the parties or even rewrite the contract for the<b> </b>parties. There is a consensus among the parties that <i>Exh. C9 </i>- <i>Company Policy & Conditions of Employment </i>is a binding document between both the Claimant and the Defendants. The first head of claim by the Claimant is for outstanding expenses for 155 days at =N=4,000.00 per day in line with Point No. 19 of the Company Policy & Conditions of Service of Employment titled <i>Touring/Out station Allowance </i>as demanded by in the Claimant's memo dated 17/4/14. I note that the Defendants did not contest the fact that the Claimant embarked on out station assignment for the duration stated. The main crux of the defence is that the condition of service of the Claimant did state his entitlement to the out station allowance and that <i>Exh. C9 </i>did not state the category of staff of the Defendant so entitled. I find as a fact that the out station activities embarked on by the Claimant during the period in question were official. I find, on the testimony of <i>DW1 </i>that indeed staff of the defendants are usually paid out station allowances whenever they travelled out of their station on official assignment. I also find, again on the evidence of <i>DW1 </i>that the amount paid as such allowances depends on the category of staff concerned. <i>DW1 </i>told the Court in cross examination that his entitlement as out of station allowance was =N=7,000.00 per day. I reject the argument that <i>Art. 19 </i>of <i>Exh. C9 </i>did not contemplate the Claimant. Unfortunately, the Defendants did not tender any evidence before me in terms of Internal Memo or Circulars as to the category of staff entitled to out of station allowance. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Perhaps I may add, as mere addendum, that judicial notice can reasonably be taken of the fact that where an employee is to embark on official assignment on behalf of his employer, simple commonsense dictates that sufficient logistics in terms funds be provided. It is the same vein that I also reject the argument that only ''office based'' staff rather than ''field based'' staff are entitled to the benefit out station allowance under <i>Art. 19 </i>of <i>Exh. C9. </i>I hold that the Defendants and the Claimant are bound by the provision of <i>Art. 19 </i>of <i>Exh. C9 </i>and that the 1st Defendant cannot resile from paying to the Claimant his outstanding out station allowance as stated. The claim of the Claimant is for 155 days at the rate of =N=4,000.00. This comes to =N=620,000.00. I therefore order and direct the 1st Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of =N=620,000.00 being his outstanding touring expenses for 155 days at the rate of =N=4,000.00 per day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant also sought payment to him of one month salary in lieu of notice of termination of appointment. By <i>Exh. C4 </i>dated 31/3/14<i>, </i>the appointment of the Claimant was terminated effective from ''Monday 31st March, 2014''. In other words, the termination was with immediate effect. <i>Exh. C2 </i>attests to the fact that the Claimant's appointment was confirmed and by <i>Exh. C1-</i>the offer of appointment, Claimant as a confirmed staff was entitled to a month basic salary in lieu of notice of termination. The annual basic salary of the Claimant as at 1/9/12 was =N=248,000.00 (See <i>Exh. C3). </i>This put the monthly basic salary of the Claimant in the range of =N=20,700.00. The 1st Defendant is here directed to pay to the Claimant the sum of Twenty Thousand and Seven Hundred Naira (=N=20,700.00) being one month basic salary in lieu of notice of termination of appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Respecting issue 2 as set down, the Defendants made counter claims against the Claimant. In view of the findings already made in this Judgment, the declaration sought respecting the first counter claim is refused and dismissed. The second counter claim is for payment of the sum of =N=241 ,808.76 being the value of the stock of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant/Counter-Claimant which the Claimant/Defendant to the Counter-Claim sold on behalf of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant/Counter-Claimant but failed to remit to it. I notice that throughout his pleadings, the Claimant denied any indebtedness to the Defendants in whatever form or guise. Part of the exhibits tendered by the Claimant in proof of his case is <i>Exh. C5. </i>The last paragraph of that exhibit states thus - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> ''From the analysis above the company is yet to pay me the sum of N813,750, the management should offset my outstanding trade debts of N241,808 and also give me my outstation allowance and also my final entitlement''<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Again, while under cross examination, the Claimant in response to a question put to him had stated that he has not paid the outstanding debt of =N=241,808.00 because the Defendants had not paid money owed to him. The combined effect of the content of <i>Exh. C5 </i>and part of the testimonies of the Claimant under cross examination amounts to admission that he is indebted to the Defendants to the tune of =N=241,808.00. The Court, in <i>Omisore & Anor. v. Aregbesola & Ors. (2015) LPELR-24803 (SC), </i>explained an admission as "a voluntary acknowledgment made by a party of the existence of the truth of certain facts which are inconsistent with his claim in an action". See <i>Vockie v. General Motors Corp, Chevrolet Division D.C. Pa. 66 FRD 57, 60 (Black Dictionary, Sixth Edition of page 47) per Fabiyi, JSC (P. 25)</i>. Again in <i>Adusei v. Adebayo (2012) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1288) 534</i> admission was further defined as:"a concession or voluntary acknowledgment made by a party of the existence of certain facts; a statement made by a party of the existence of a fact which is relevant to the cause of the adversary;" Per Ogunbiyi JSC. It is trite that matters admitted need no further proof. Claimant voluntarily made <i>Exh. C5. </i>Claimant also voluntarily tendered same in support of his case. I hold that this head of counter claim succeeds. Claimant is here directed to pay to the Defendants the sum of =N=241,808. 00 as admitted due from him to the Defendants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The total sum due from the 1st Defendant to the Claimant by virtue of this Judgment is Six Hundred and Forty Thousand Seven Hundred Naira (=N=640,700.00) only. The Claimant is also to pay the sum of Two Hundred and Forty One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight Naira (=N=241,808.00) only to the 1st Defendant. Thus the final outstanding sum due payable by the 1st Defendant to the Claimant after deduction is the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Two Naira (=N=398,892.00) only. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, for the avoidance of doubt and for all the reasons as contained in this Judgment, the 1st Defendant is ordered and directed to pay the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Two Naira (=N=398,892.00) only being the final entitlement of the Claimant after deducting his admitted outstanding trade debts owed to Defendants. The sum due under this Judgment shall be paid with interest at the rate of 15% from 31/3/14 until the date of this Judgment and at further rate of 15% from the date of Judgment till final liquidation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I make no order as to cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Judgment is entered accordingly.<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""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" align="center" style="margin-left:0in; mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">____________________<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Justice J. D. Peters<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Presiding Judge<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>