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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">P. O. Egwu Esq. appeared 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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">V. O. Anyanwu Esq. appeared for 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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This is a transferred case from the High Court of Ebonyi State, per the Order of Honourable Justice B. A. N. Ogbu made on 17<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2014. In paragraph 34 of the Amended Statement of Claim of the Claimant dated 30<sup>th</sup> day of March 2012 filed same date, the Claimant claims 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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(a)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the termination of appointment of the Claimant on 24<sup>th</sup> November, 2010 by the Defendants is unlawful, unconstitutional and a unilateral breach of contract of employment and therefore null and void and of no effect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(b)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The sum of N200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) only being compensation for wrongful termination of appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(c)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The interest accruable to his salary from November, 2010 till judgment is delivered at the current interest rate.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Amended Statement of Claim was accompanied with a Further Statement on Oath dated 30<sup>th</sup> March, 2012. The Defendants also amended their statement of defence and the parties joined issues before the case was transferred to this Honourable Court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The case proceeded to trial and four witnesses in total testified on the side of the Claimant. These are CW1, CW2, CW3 and CW4. A total of 14 exhibits were tendered by the Claimant and admitted by the Court. Each of the Claimant’s witnesses that testified was cross examined by the learned Defendants’ counsel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the Defendants, two witnesses, DW1 and DW2 testified and tendered exhibits D1, D2 and D3. The Defendants’ witnesses were cross examined by the learned Claimant’s counsel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upon the conclusion of hearing the court ordered parties to file their respective final written addresses. The final written address of the Defendants dated 11<sup>th</sup> February, 2016 was filed on 15<sup>th</sup> February, 2016. The Claimant’s final written address dated 2<sup>nd</sup> March, 2016 was filed on 3<sup>rd</sup> March, 2016. Parties adopted their respective written addresses and case adjourned for judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In his final written address the learned counsel for the Defendants formulated and argued the following issues for the court’s determination:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">i.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Claimant breached the terms and conditions of exhibit C6?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">ii.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether by virtue of exhibits C6, D1 and D3 the Claimant has any cause of action against the Defendants?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">iii.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If there was a cause of action whether the Claimant proved a case of termination of appointment as required by law?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On his own part the learned counsel for the Claimant formulated and argued the following two issues for determination:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the purported termination of the employment of the Claimant by the Defendants is in compliance with the Bank PHB Disciplinary Policy and Sanction Grid and/or Bank PHB Human Capital Staff Policy Handbook (exhibits C6 and D2)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the purported resignation of the Claimant was not done under duress?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having carefully considered the processes filed, the evidence led as well as the arguments and submissions of the parties the issue that arises for determination is whether or not from the facts and circumstances of the case the Claimant has proved his case to entitle him to Judgment?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The facts of the case briefly put are that the Claimant joined the service of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant on 1<sup>st</sup> day of July, 2009 as Senior Executive Assistant. That he worked for the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant till the month of November, 2010 when he was forced to resign at gun point. The Claimant averred that he did not resign voluntarily but was rather forced to resign under duress. He claimed that his involuntary resignation was arrived at as a disciplinary measure against him by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant; and that the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant failed to comply with its own Conditions of Service and other Regulations governing the discharge of his functions with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. The Claimant claimed the existence of a cabal within the branch of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant he was working at in Abakaliki. While at the Abakaliki Branch he tried to expose numerous fraudulent activities of the members of the cabal which put him on a collision course with them. According to the claimant he did not have it well with the cabal where they eventually set a trap for him through one Christian Ugwuanyi; into which he fell on the 9<sup>th</sup> day of October, 2010 during a football training at the Girls High School Azuiyiokwu. The Claimant and Mr Christian Ugwuanyi had a brawl following which he was advised to resign which he did and that terminated his appointment with the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. He now filed this action to pray for the reliefs in the suit primarily alleging that the termination was wrongful.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The kernel of the Claimant’s case is that he was forced to resign his appointment by the Defendants. Here the Claimant does not dispute the fact of his resignation. He only maintained that he did not resign voluntarily. He pleaded and stated in his evidence that he was assaulted inside the bank’s premises on 24-11-2010 and thrown out of the premises; and that before then he had been prevailed upon on-line to resign his appointment or be killed. He did resign as directed according to him. This, the claimant maintained was contrary to the Bank’s Disciplinary Policy and Sanction Grid. See paragraphs 30 and 31 of the Statement of Claim as well as paragraphs 30 and 31 of the Statement on oath of the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On how the Claimant was prevailed upon to resign he stated that there was threat to his life. The evidence of CW3 and that of CW4 both referred to the facts that tend to show the alleged pressure that was exerted on the Claimant. Part of CW3’s testimony runs as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">5. That on 24/11/2010, I visited the family of the Claimant at about 10am at No.10 Watchman Street, Abakaliki.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">6. That I met the Claimant’s wife and their little baby boy at home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">7. That the Claimant’s wife asked me to take care of her baby boy while she get to the market.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">8. That while she was about to leave for market, a hefty fierce looking man barged into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">9. That while we were trying to find out from him what his mission was, he forcefully ordered the Claimant’s wife to call the Claimant on phone, put the phone on loud speaker and prevail upon the claimant to resign from his place of work.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">10. The said hefty fierce looking man who was having a gun snatched the baby from me and slapped me in the process and threatened to shoot all of us if we tried to resist him or disobey his orders.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">11. That while the Claimant’s wife was talking on phone with the Claimant amidst tears and tremble, a call entered the fierce looking man’s phone and after answering the call, he dropped the baby and barged out of the house.</span></i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;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"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Part of CW4’s testimony also reads:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. That on 09/10/2010, I went for football training at Girls’ Secondary School, Azuiyiokwu, as usual.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">5. That the said Girls Secondary School is a popular training ground for amateur footballers of all walks of life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">6. That on the said 09/10/2010, staff of Bank PHB Abakaliki equally came to the place for football training.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">7. That the Claimant was one of the said Bank PHB Staff that came for training on that day.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">8. That while the training was going on, a group of able-bodied men numbering about 6 assailed the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">9. That while the fight was on, one of the said able bodied men held the claimant by his two hands from the back.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">10. That as a result of this, the Claimant was helplessly exposed to the rest who were raining punches all over him and throwing stones and other objects at him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">11. That with the help of some Police men who equally came for football training on the said day, the Claimant was rescued from the assailants.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">12. That the assailants apologized to the Claimant and the Police and admitted that what they did was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">These two sets of evidence from the two Claimant’s witnesses, who were accordingly cross examined by the learned Defendants’ counsel show that some persons tried to intimidate and harass the Claimant through intimidation to force him to resign from his job. The only problem here though is that the persons that did the intimidation and harassment in both instances were not positively identified by the said witnesses, CW3 and CW4. Furthermore, despite the threats of violence and the actual violence on the claimant at the football training ground, no formal report of any or both of the incidentswas made by the Claimant to the Police or other security agencies. <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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is also the evidence of the Claimant that he was pressurized on-line to resign his appointment or be killed to which he allegedly caved in and submitted his resignation letter, Exhibit D1. This made the Claimant to argue that his resignation was forced and the court should nullify same. <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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On their part, the defendants maintained that the Claimant was not forced to resign but that his resignation was voluntary. Furthermore, that prior to his resignation, the Claimant’s conduct in the bank and especially his relationship with fellow colleagues was not welcoming to the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant hence the advice to him to resign. <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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Taking the issue of forced resignation of the Claimant, I shall start by looking at the letter of resignation itself, Exhibit D1. It states 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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>The Zonal Service Leader Branch Operations<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Enugu Zonal Office<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Enugu<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Through<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The Service Leader Branch Operations<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Abakaliki Branch<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> 24<sup>th</sup> November, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Sir,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NOTICE OF RESIGNATION OF MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE BANK</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Kindly accept my resignation letter from the bank effective immediately. You have been a boulevard of knowledge and I pledge to commit the wisdom I have acquired from you in future dealings.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Please kindly accept my resignation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Yours Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Signed<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nwokoro Ifeanyi Stanly<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">From the contents of this Exhibit D1, the letter of resignation of the Claimant, it is quite clear that the contents do not state that the Claimant was forced to resign or in fact any evidence of forced resignation of the claimant from the services of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant.However, there is the evidence of CW3 who testified that some persons visited the house of the Claimant on the 24<sup>th</sup> of November, 2010 threatening the wife and son of the Claimant, that the Claimant should be prevailed upon to resign his appointment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. It is the evidence of CW3 that the said persons that visited the Claimant’s house had a gun with them and that they spoke with the Claimant at that time. This evidence which the Defendants claimed was not pleaded by the Claimant was in fact pleaded. See paragraph 3(a) of the reply to the Defendants’ Attached Claim dated and filed on 5<sup>th</sup> May, 2011. The point though is about the value to be attached to this evidence. It is quite clear from the evidence that the gun trotting person visited the house but he was not identified by the CW3. Equally unidentified was the person that called the gun wielding man through his telephone after which he dropped the baby and ran away from the house. What is amazing here is the fact that an incident in which a gun trotting man visited the Claimant’s house and threatened the lives of his family members was not reported to the Police or any security agencies. <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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The other piece of evidence is the alleged on-line advice wherein the Claimant was advised to resign his position with the bank. There is however no any credible evidence that has been put forward by the Claimant to show how he was prevailed upon to resign on-line. <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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On their part, the Defendants stated that the Claimant resigned from his appointment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant voluntarily. The DW1 stated in his evidence that the Claimant was advised to resign for the events of 9<sup>th</sup> of October, 2010 wherein the Claimant fought with Christian Ugwuanyi at the Football Training ground. Under cross examination DW1 stated that no disciplinary committee of the bank was set up to administer the disciplinary process over the Claimant. That the only thing done was an investigation which was conducted by the Internal Control Officer. The point in issue now though is the Claimant’s claim that he was pressurized and unduly influenced in resigning. It is important to point out that the Claimant was not able to give a detail account of how he was actually coerced to sign Exhibit D1, the resignation letter. The evidence of CW3 cannot be conclusive enough to prove the fact of coercion without any clear and unambiguous detail about how the resignation letter was signed by him. The Claimant has not denied that he signed it. He only stated that it was signed under duress or undue influence and that duress or undue influence must have come from the advice he said he was given by the defendants to resign. Learned Claimant’s counsel had submitted in his final written address that:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Undue influence which is the equitable version of duress has been defined as a state of mind of a person who had been subdued to any improper persuasion or machination in such a way that he is overpowered and consequently induced to do or forbear an act which he would have done or not do of his own freewill. It is a product of abuse or misuse of confidence reposed in someone who is able to put some pressure on or take unfair advantage of another; or who takes an oppressive and unfair advantage of another’s necessities or distress. See the case of <b>Prince Nwole vs Chief Imuagonu& Ors (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 316) 32@370 CA; Per Nsofor JCA.</b></span></i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having considered the evidence before the Court as well as the arguments of the parties, the court is bound to weigh the evidence of the parties on the point of undue influence which the Claimant maintained was exercised on him by the Defendants before he signed the resignation letter of 24<sup>th</sup> November, 2010. It seems that when placed on the scale of justice, the balance of the scale tilts against the Claimant here. This is because it is apparent that the Claimant has made up his mind on the fact that there was in existence a cabal in the branch of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant where he was working. It is difficult to believe him that he waited for the Defendants to set him up through his fight with Mr Christian Ugwuanyi; go ahead to sign the resignation letter; and fail to report the fact of threat of death against him and his family to the Police or other security agencies; before he now alleges wrong doing on the part of the Defendants. The Claimant was in a position to report all the alleged threats to him and his family for proper protection and not to have waited until he had resigned his appointment. It is my finding therefore that the Claimant has not made out a case of duress or undue influence 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:14.0pt;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:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Moreover, the case of the Defendants, which sounds more plausible, is that by Exhibit D3, the Claimant was investigated over the issue of the attack on Mr Christian Ugwuanyi, a staff of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. The said Exhibit D3 is theinvestigation report in which it was recommended that the Claimant be advised to resign his appointment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant over his conduct in fighting with Mr Ugwuanyi and Mr Chikaodili Ekuma. It is, however, noteworthy that the Claimant himself has admitted in Exhibit C3, first paragraph, that he was engaged <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><br></p>