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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"">J.H.C. Okolo SAN appeared with M.A. Odita Esq. and Anthony Duru Esq. 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""> </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"">Chukwuma Edeh 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</span></u></b><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"">The Claimant in this suit approached this Honourable Court on the 1<sup>st</sup> of September, 2011 seeking the reliefs endorsed on his Complaint and the Statement of Facts against the Defendants jointly and severally 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:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the Defendants purported Retirement of the Claimant from the Services/or as Academic Staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, by letter dated 22<sup>nd</sup> day of July, 2010 which was served or first brought to Complainant’s notice on 15/10/2010, was effected in gross contraventions of the extant applicable Laws, Statutes and Regulations, and therefore Null and Void and of no effect whatsoever.<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;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></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;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the earlier letter of 27<sup>th</sup> August 2007 placing the claimant on Suspension from duty, signed by the Defendants Registrar, eventually leading to the said purported Retirement, was irregularly issued and therefore null and void and of no effect 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: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:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order for the full and immediate reinstatement retrospectively, of the Claimant in his aforesaid employment/office and due status.<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;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">iv)<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"">An order for the calculation and immediate release/payment of all damages occasioned the claimant, in terms of his salaries, Allowances and all other concurring benefits/entitlements due thereunder from 27<sup>th</sup> August, 2007 up to and until the valid/proper cessation or determination of his employment therein.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto"><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;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Complaint was accompanied with Statement of Facts, written Statement on Oath of the Claimant, list of witnesses, list and copies of documents to be relied upon at trial. Upon being served with the Claimant’s originating processes, the Defendants entered appearance and filed their joint Statement of Defence. The Claimant filed a reply to the Statement of Defence. Subsequently the Defendants amended their Statement of Defence with leave of Court to which the Claimant filed a reply with an additional Statement on Oath.<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 case proceeded to trial and the Claimant gave evidence as CW1. He closed his case and the Defendants opened their defence and called two witnesses, DW1 and DW2. Several exhibits were tendered and admitted by the Court. The witnesses were duly cross examined.<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"">At the conclusion of trial, parties filed their respective final written addresses. The learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant filed his written address first, with leave of court. The said written address dated 2<sup>nd</sup> day of April, 2016 was filed on 5<sup>th</sup> April, 2016. Thereafter the learned Defendants’ counsel filed his final written address dated 12<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2016 on 14<sup>th</sup> day of April, 2016. Thereafter the learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant filed a reply on points of law dated 18<sup>th</sup> April, 2016 on 21<sup>st</sup> April, 2016. The written addresses were duly adopted by the parties.<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"">In his final written address the Claimant formulated and argued a single issue for the Court’s determination as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></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"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether on the pleadings and evidence the Claimant ought to be granted all the reliefs sought in the suit?<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 his own part the learned defendants’ counsel formulated and argued two issues for the Court’s determination 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="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align: justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant commenced this action in compliance with due process of law to enable the Honourable Court assume jurisdiction in the case?<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="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align: justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Claimant has led credible evidence so as to be entitled to judgment in this case?<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"">I have carefully considered the processes filed, the evidence led as well as the arguments and submissions of the parties in this case. The issue for determination is whether or not from the pleadings and evidence led the Claimant is entitled to judgment in this case? <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"">Before going into the merits of the case however, let me address the issue raised by the learned defendants’ counsel as to whether the court can assume jurisdiction in the case having regard to his preliminary objection and argument that the Claimant did not commence the suit in compliance with due process of the law. According to the learned defendants’ counsel the Claimant commenced this action by filing an originating process, which is the Complaint. He added that the said Originating Process was accompanied by his statement of facts, list of witnesses and documents to be relied upon and the written deposition on oath. He stated further that all the accompanying processes were signed but that the Complaint, which was the originating process was not signed. Counsel referred to Order 6 Rule 1(1) & (2) of the National Industrial Court Rules 2007 which provides that:<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"">1-(1) A Claimant or the Legal Practitioner shall, on presenting any originating process for filing and sealing, leave with the Registrar as many copies of the process as there are defendants or respondents to be served and one copy for endorsement of service on each defendant or respondent.<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"">(2) Each copy shall be signed by the claimant where he or she is suing in person or the Legal Practitioner and shall be certified after verification by the Registrar as being a true copy of the original process filed.</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""> </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"">To the learned defence counsel signing of the originating process is mandatory and not a mere technicality. The failure to so sign is a material and fundamental omission. He further referred to the decisions in <b>Onward Enterprises Limited vs Olan International Limited (2010) All FWLR (Pt. 531)1503, Mbang vs Guardian Newspapers Ltd & Anor (2010) LPELR-4479 (CA) </b>and <b>Integrated Merchants Limited vs Osun State Government & Anor (2007) LPELR-8803 (CA).</b><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"">Learned counsel further argued that the originating process of the claimant merely bears a typewritten name of his legal practitioner. That the name of Claimant’s legal practitioner typed on the originating process is not the same as his signature. That the law requires the Claimant’s legal practitioner to either personally write his name or make a mark before his typewritten name in authentication of the originating process. He referred to <b>SLB Consortium Limited vs NNPC (2011) 9 NWLR 317 (</b>incomplete citation by counsel), <b>Dr Bolaji Akinsanya & Anor vs Federal Mortgage Finance Limited (2010) LPELR-3687 (CA). </b><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"">Learned counsel maintained that the originating process is defective and same cannot be cured. Therefore the Claimant’s suit was not commenced by due process of law and this Honourable Court has no jurisdiction to have entertained his case. He referred to <b>Zenith Bank vs Umo (2010) LPELR-22001.</b><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 response, learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant stated that the objection of the defendants’ counsel is not that the legal practitioner who caused the issuance of the Writ signed by the Registrar of the Court is NOT a registered Legal Practitioner on the rolls or that the name under which it was issued is not that of a legal practitioner registered on the rolls. According to the learned Senior Counsel that is the only ground on which such a Writ would be rendered void or declared incompetent. Rather the defendants’objection is that the Writ in the proceeding was not SIGNED by the legal practitioner as required by Order 4 Rule 4(3) of the National Industrial Court Rules 2007. Learned Senior Counsel continued that, that argument cannot be sustainable because the endorsement clearly appearing on the Writ shows that it was filed at the instance and in the name of alegalpractitionerwhose name is stated inboldprintstherein 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="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This Complaint was issued by J.H.C Okolo, S.A.N. of J.H.C. Okolo, SAN, & Co., Legal Practitioners of No. 162B Zik Avenue Enugu, for the said Claimant, who resides at No. 46 Amawbia Street, Uwani, Enugu. <o:p></o:p></span></i></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"">Learned Senior Counsel submitted that the requirement of signature is met by stating the name of counsel on the originating process and reliance was placed, <i>inter alia,</i> on the meaning of signature as defined by Black’s Law Dictionary Special De Luxe Fifth Edition, 1979, page 1239, which states thus:<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"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The act of putting one’s NAME at the end of an instrument to attest its validity, the name thus written. A signature may be written by hand, printed, stamped, typewritten, engraved, photographed or cut from one instrument and attached to another and a signature lithographed on an instrument by a party is sufficient for the purpose of signing it; it being immaterial with what kind of instrument a signature is made. Mariocopa County v Osborn, 60 Ariz 290, 136 p. 2d 270, 274. And whatever mark, symbol or device one may choose to employ as representative of himself is sufficient.<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"">Learned Senior Counsel further referred to the case of <b>Hon Ogieva& Anor vs Hon. Aisowieren Patrick & Ors (2015) 41 WRN 59 at 98 </b>wherein the court held that:<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""> <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"">In this case, there was a signature of Counsel but no name of Counsel known to law. A signature without a name of Counsel is incurably bad.<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"">He then submitted that it is crystal clear that all that is required to authenticate a process filed in Court is the NAME of Counsel registered on the roll and there is in fact no requirement for any signature once the name of such counsel is stated on the process. <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"">Furthermore, learned Senior Counsel referred to Order 4 Rule 4(3) of the National Industrial Court Rules which 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-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"">An originating process shall be signed by the Claimant or his or her Legal Practitioner where the Claimant sues through a Legal Practitioner.</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"">Learned Senior Counsel then stated that Form 1 of the Rules gives the format for the Complaint to be filed at Pages B418-B420, and that all those specifications were meticulously followed and observed in the Complaint submitted for issuance by the Registrar of the Honourable Court. He urged the court to overrule the objection as the Writ in this case was duly and effectually signed/authenticated in the name of a registered legal practitioner on the rolls of the Supreme Court.<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 arguments and submissions of both parties, the issue for determination in this objection is whether or not the absence of the signature of the Claimant or his legal practitioner renders the Complaint incompetent? The objection of the learned defendants counsel is that going by the provisions of Order 4 Rule 4(3) and Order 6 Rule 1(1) & (2) of the National Industrial Court Rules, 2007, the Complaint,(and all its copies), which is the originating process, must be signed by the Claimant or his legal practitioner. There is no doubt that the issue of competence of an originating process is quite crucial to the court’s power to assume jurisdiction in a matter. See <b>MuyiwaOdejayi& Anor vs Henley Industries limited (2013) LPELR-20368 (CA)</b> and<b> Zenith Bank vs Umo (2010), supra. </b>However, the defendants’ objection here refers to the absence of signature of the Claimant or his counsel on the Complaint filed to initiate the suit. It is important to note though that the provisions of the Rules refer to “originating process” which has been defined by Order 1 Rule 3 of the National Industrial Court Rules 2007 as “…a complaint or any other court processes by which a suit is initiated”. This means that an originating process may be a Complaint or any other process by which a suit is initiated. To the learned defendants’ counsel the Complaint must be signed by the Claimant or his counsel. He has however admitted that the other processes in the instant case, such as the Statement of facts, witnesses Statement on oath, etc, which accompanied the Complaint have been duly signed by the learned Senior Counsel 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""> </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 his own part the learned Senior Counsel has canvassed the view that the originating process in this suit has complied with the requirements of Form 1 of the Rules of this Honourable Court. The said Form 1 of the Rules has specificinformation which a party initiating a suit by a Complaint will be required to complete. The learned Senior Counsel has argued that “signature” as such is not a requirement contained in the said Form 1. What is required is an endorsement with the name and address of counsel which have all been duly provided. It is necessary at this juncture to point out that this Honourable Court has held in similar objections as to absence of signature on the Complaint that it was not fatal to the action. To start with, as argued by the learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant, Form 1 as provided in the Rules of this Honourable Court has not provided for any signature either of the Claimant or his Counsel where he sues through a legal practitioner.<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"">Secondly, the Complaint alone does not constitute the originating process but rather it consists of, and goes along with, other accompanying processes such as the Statement of facts and witness statement on oath. Therefore it is a consideration of the totality of the originating processes that would be used in determining the validity or otherwise of the initiation of the action. In the case of <b>Sir Solomon Uzoigwe& Ors vs Chief UcheyAgboeze& Ors (2011) 22 NLLR (Pt. 63) </b>this Court held that:<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>Order 4 Rule 4(3) of the NIC Rules provides that-<o:p></o:p></i></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"">An originating process shall be signed by the claimant or his or her Legal Practitioner where the claimant sues through a Legal Practitioner.<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"">Order 1 Rule 3(2) then defines an ‘originating process’ as ‘a complaint or any other court processes by which a suit is initiated’. Now Order 3 Rule 4 indicates that the complaint shall be accompanied by a statement of facts establishing the cause of action, copies of every document to be relied upon at the trial, and list of witnesses to be called. The cumulative effect of all these provisions is that the originating process is made up of all these processes. The complaint is not an isolated document independent of all the others. On this basis, this court has held in previous cases that by the definition of ‘originating processes’ the complaint as per Form 1, the statement of facts or claims, the list of witnesses to be called and the list of documents to be relied upon at trial all constitute originating processes. See this court’s decision in <b>AdedoyinOlayinka& Ors vs Wema Bank Plc unreported Suit No. NIC/6/2008 the ruling of which was delivered on May 7, 2009.</b><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""> </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"">The Court continued that:<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-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"">The question that presently arises, therefore, is if all these processes are signed as enjoined by the Rules of Court with the complaint being the exception, has the claimant not satisfied the requirements of the Rules? We think so. In any case, it must be noted that the complaint as per the pro forma Form 1 in the NIC Rules at pages B418-B420 does not even have anywhere on the form indicating that the claimant or his/her counsel should sign. We do not, therefore, think that the claimant or his counsel has a duty to sign the complaint itself. Once the statement of facts, the list of documents and the list of witnesses to be called at the trial are signed, the requirement of Order 4 Rule 4(3) is met.<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"">This decision clearly puts to rest the issue of non-signing of the Complaint alone by the Claimant or his Counsel as raised by the Defendants counsel. The objection lacks merit and is accordingly hereby dismissed.<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 now move to the substantive issue for determination. The Claimant’s case is that he was employed as an academic staff by the Defendants by a letter dated 14<sup>th</sup> August 1996. He was employed to work in the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant University.He was confirmed as a tenure staff from 29/9/2000. He carried out his duties as an academic staff without having any blemish until the happening of certain events from the year 2004. These events were in connection with the handling of examination results in departmental courses and the collection of monetary contributions from final year students of his department meant for departmental project. The Claimant was suspended by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant initially and was later retired retrospectively. He filed this action claiming that the retirement is unlawful and should be nullified; and he be reinstated back into his job.<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"">For the Defendants their case is that the Claimant was retired from the service of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant following the finding of guilt against him of misconduct in the course of his duties. <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 Claimant’s case is that his retirement from the service of the defendant university is in contravention of the extant applicable laws, statutes, regulations and therefore null and void. By his pleadings and evidence the Claimant has argued that there is no justification whatsoever for his suspension by letter dated 27/8/2007 as well as his retirement by a letter dated 22/7/2010, the effective date of which was retrospectively stated as April, 2004.The Defendants denied this and challenged the Claimant to the proof of how his employment was wrongfully determined drawing the court’s attention to the decided authorities. The learned counsel referred to the cases of <b>A-G BAYELSA STATE vs A.G RIVERS STATE (2006) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1012) 596, CHIEF TAMUNOWMI IDONIBOYE-OBU vs N.N.P.C. (2003) 1 SCNJ 87 at 108-109 </b>and <b>WAEC & ORS vs IKAN (2011) LPELR-5098(CA). </b>In WAEC’s case the Court of Appeal held that:<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-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"">In contract of employment or service generally, where an employee alleges wrongful termination of the employment by the employer, the onus lies on him, in law to prove that the termination of his appointment was wrongful or unlawful in order to succeed in the claims he makes against the employer. To discharge the burden, he must prove that:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He is an employee of the employer,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Place before the court the facts by way of pleadings, the terms and conditions of the employment,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Who can appoint and who can terminate the appointment,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">d.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In what situations or circumstances the appointment can properly be determined.<b><o:p></o:p></b></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"">It is the learned defendants’ counsel’s view that the Claimant neither pleaded nor led evidence on the terms and conditions of his employment; he did not also plead or lead evidence on what circumstances would make the termination proper. He therefore submitted that the Claimant did not discharge the onus of proof that the law placed on him for there to be a necessity on the defendants to assume any burden of proof or disproof in the case. I will come back to this point later.<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 gone through the submissions of both counsel, the position of the law is quite clear that the Claimant has the onus of leading evidence to prove his assertions. In this case the main assertion is that the Claimant’s retirement was against the stipulated terms and conditions of his service, most importantly the statutory provisions which govern the employment relationship between the Claimant and 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"><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"">From his evidence, exhibits A, B, C and D the Claimant has proved his employment relationship with the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant and in Exhibit D it has been clearly pointed out that his appointment as a Senior Staff was confirmed till retiring age but subject to other decisions of Council. Reference was further made to the fact that the terms and conditions governing his appointment was subject to the review of the Governing Council of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. The Claimant has shown who his employer is and in whose power it is to terminate the employment relationship. Furthermore, it is the Claimant’s case that the relationship between him and the defendants is one governed by statute and therefore one with statutory flavour. The learned Senior counsel for the Claimant referred to a number of authorities on this point including <b>Olaniyan vs University of Lagos (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 9) p. 599, ShittaBey vs Federal Civil Service Commission (1981) 11 SC 40 at 46, Federal Civil Service Commission vs Laoye (1989) 2 NWLR (Pt. 106) p.652, Konwei vs IGP (2008) 51 WRN 176, Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin vs Shittu (2013) 17 WRN 78,University of Ilorin vs Akinola (2015) 19 WRN 1 at 37, l30-35 </b>and <b>Alhaji Baba vs CATC, Zaria (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 192) 388.</b><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"">It is also important to point out that where an employment is said to enjoy statutory flavour the employer must comply strictly with the stipulations in the statute before the employment can be terminated. The first question though is what is an employment with statutory flavour? In the case of<b>PHCN vs OFFOELO (2013) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1344) p. 380 at 406 and 407 </b>the Supreme Court held that a contract of employment is said to have statutory flavour where such a contract is governed by provision of a statute, regulations or conditions of employment derived from either statute or regulations. The Supreme Court further added that in order to constitute an employment with statutory flavour, two vital ingredients must co-exist and these are:-<o:p></o:p></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 lfo4"><!--[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"">The employer must be a body set up by statute; and<o:p></o:p></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 lfo4"><!--[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 stabilizing statute must make express provisions regulating the employment of the staff of the category of the employee concerned, especially in matters of discipline.<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"">Going by these points made by the Supreme Court, the question is whether employment relationship between the claimant and the defendants is imbued with statutory flavour. A look at Sections 3(1) and 5(1)(b)&(n) of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Law, CAP 74, Revised Edition of the Laws Enugu State, 2004(ESUT LAW 2004) shows that the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant was created by statute and the terms and conditions of employment of the staff were to be regulated by statute of the University. The said sections provide 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-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;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"">3(1) There is hereby established in the State a University to be known as Enugu State University of Science and Technology with its registered office and main campus at Enugu; and another campus located at Nsukka.<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; 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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">5(1) The University shall be a teaching, research and examining body and subject to the provisions of the Law shall have the following functions that is to say-<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in;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"">(b) to institute professorships, readerships, lectureships and any other office of any kind whether academic or not, as may be required by the University, and to prescribe conditions of service for and appoint persons to such offices and to regulate their conditions of service;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in;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"">(n) to cater for the welfare and discipline of members of the University and its employees;<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"">Furthermore section 29(1) of ESUT Law, 2004 has made provision for the removal of the officers and staff of the University 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-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;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"">29(1) The appropriate appointing authority may remove from office the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, any other officer of the University, any member of the academic staff or any member of the administrative staff, subject to any such provision as may be made by statute or ordinance in that behalf.</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"">Accordingly Statute No. 22 paragraph 7(a) of the ESUT Law, 2004 has provided for how a staff may be removed from office 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-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;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"">7. Any member of the academic staff of(sic) the administrative or technical staff may be removed from office for good cause by the Council:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;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""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;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""> Provided that-<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:2.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align: justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(a)<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or a member of the academic staff who holds a pensionable appointment shall not be determined by the Council unless there has been an investigation relating to his case by a Joint Committee, nominated by the Council and the Senate, of which Joint Committee at least one-third of the requests been (sic)<u>permitted to appear to defend himself in person or through his chosen representative before the Joint Committee, and the report of the Joint Committee has been considered by the Senate and then by the Council, </u>the decision of the Council on his case shall be final;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(Underlining mining for emphasis).<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 provisions of paragraph 7(a) of Statute 22 of the ESUT Law, 2004 are quite clear on what the Governing Council of the University should do in determining the employment of an academic staff. It is essentially that a joint committee of Senate and Council be set up to investigate the allegation against the academic staff. That such academic staff be given the opportunity to appear before the said Joint Committee of Council and Senate in person or through his chosen representative to defend himself. That the report of the Joint Committee of Senate and Council should be considered by both Senate and Council but that the decision of Council shall be final. These provisions are to be observed by the Defendants whenever an allegation of misconduct is raised against an academic staff before any disciplinary measure is taken against him. The Supreme Court has in <b>Offoelo’s case, supra, at p. 425,</b>made the point quite clearly 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-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"">The lower court found that exhibit ‘A’ contained the terms and conditions of employment of the plaintiff/respondent and it was made pursuant to paragraph 9 of Part III of the Schedule to the National Electric Power Authority Act Cap. 256 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 consequently, the employment had statutory flavour and the employer will not be allowed to whimsically determine the employment. The employer must comply with the laid down rules; otherwise the action taken to determine the employment will be declared a nullity. See Eperokun v. University of Lagos (1986) 4 NWLR (Pt. 34) and Olaniyan v. University of Lagos (supra).</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"">As pointed earlier on in this judgment, the Claimant had two planks on which he alleged the Defendants took the disciplinary measure of retiring him. These are allegations of mishandling of examination results as well as forced contributions from students. The Claimant was first suspended and then after some time he was compulsorily retired retrospectively. From the evidence before the Honourable Court Exhibit T is the letter of suspension dated 27<sup>th</sup> August 2007. This letter of suspension 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>ESUT/R/34 27<sup>th</sup> August, 2007<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""> </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""> S.A.N. Emodi<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""> ESUT<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""> <b><u>SUSPENSION FROM DUTY</u></b><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I am directed to suspend you and you are hereby suspended from duty until further notice. For this reason, the Bursar is hereby directed to pay you half of your salary until further notice.<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""> </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"">Please hand all University property under your possession to your Head of Department.<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""> </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"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SIMON N. P. NWANKWO<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></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"><b><i><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REGISTRAR</span></u></i></b><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-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"">Thereafter by a letter dated 28<sup>th</sup> April, 2010 the Claimant was served a letter Exhibit V, inviting him to appear before a Committee set up to investigate cases of suspended staff. He did appear before the said Committee of Investigation and was subsequently issued Exhibit W, the letter of retirement. The said letter of retirement is hereby reproduced 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>ESUT/P/G.74 22<sup>nd</sup> July, 2010<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""> <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""> Engr S.A.N. Emodi<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""> Department of Agric Engineering<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""> ESUT<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""> </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""> Dear EngrEmodi<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""> <b><u>RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE</u></b><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I am directed to inform you that Council at its 119<sup>th</sup> meeting held on 17<sup>th</sup> June, 2010 directed that you be retired from service.<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""> </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"">In view of that, you are hereby retired from the services of Enugu State University of Science and Technology with effect from 2004.<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""> </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"">You are hereby directed to return all the University property still in your possession including your identification card to your Head of Department.<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""> <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""> <b>BARR. CHRIS. C. IGBOKWE<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> <u>REGISTRAR AND SECRETARY TO COUNCIL<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></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""> </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 Defendants tendered Exhibit AA which is the Report of the Committee set up to investigate the suspension of staff in the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. The said report was tendered by DW1 who was duly cross examined by the learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant. From the arguments of the defendants, the Claimant was found guilty of misconduct by the investigating committee and since he had been given the opportunity to appear before the said committee he cannot be heard complaining of lack of fair hearing or non-compliance with regulations. The key question here though is whether the disciplinary actions, suspension and retirement, against the Claimant by the Defendants was in compliance with the statutory provisions referred to above as well as the rules on fair hearing? To the Defendants by the authority of the decision in <b>Okibe vs LPDC (2005) 15 NWLR (Pt. 949) 471, </b>the claimant was given fair hearing as what is required to be done to amount to fair hearing is that “fair and equal opportunity is given to the parties to correct or contradict any information upon which a decision might be reached.” The Defendants further relied on the case of <b>PDP vs Abubakar No. 2 (2007) ALL FWLR (Pt. 386) 711 at 736 </b>where it was reiterated that it is always the facts before the Court that would show whether or not fair hearing had been granted by the defendants before the disciplinary measure(s) were taken against him. The defendants appear to have laid much emphasis on the fact that the Committee on investigation of cases of suspension had adequately taken care of the requirement of fair hearing. <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"">However, the determining factor, in my humble view must be the level of compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 7(a) of Statute No. 22 of the ESUT Law, 2004 which clearly spells out that the Claimant, an academic staff, facing termination of appointment by the University, must be given the opportunity to appear before the Joint Senate and Council Committee in order to defend the allegations against him. There is nothing before the Court to show that that has been done. Exhibit AA, the Report of the Investigating Committee was the only basis for the decision of Council taken at its 119<sup>th</sup> Meeting where the decision to retire the Claimant was taken. There is nothing further to show that the said Committee was the one contemplated by the statutory provisions, i.e., being a joint Committee of Senate and Council.<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"">Furthermore, the said Exhibit AA, the Investigation Report of the Committee set up by the Vice Chancellor to investigate cases of suspension of staff cannot be more than what it purports to be. That is to say, it was set up to conduct investigation and submit a report following which the disciplinary process enshrined in the provisions of the law would be taken. It is nowhere described as a Joint Committee of Senate and Council. It is perhaps apposite here to point out the dictum of the Court in the case of <b>Alhaji Baba vs Nigeria Civil Aviation Training Centre Zaria (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 192) 388</b>, <b>pp. 418-419,</b>cited and relied upon by the learned Senior Counsel for the Claimant, 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-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"">Once the Panel set up by an Employer in a situation where the panel on the conclusion of its inquiry, makes up its mind, that any point had been prima facie made out, which point to fault of an employee the Employer must inform such employee of the points in the case against him and give him the opportunity to refute, explain or contradict them otherwise exculpate himself by making any representations or defences thereto before the Employer can lawfully use those points for dispensing with his services.<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"">When the Investigation Committee made its findings and recommendations the Council apparently relied on same to retire the Claimant. The indicted Claimant was entitled by the statutory provisions to appear before the Joint Committee of Senate and Council. In the circumstance therefore, the Claimant’s retirement which was issued by the Defendants without his facing the Joint Committee of Senate and Council, cannot be said to have followed due process for the reason of non-compliance with the provision of Paragraph 7(a) of Statute No. 22 of the ESUT Law, 2004. This I 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: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 the issue of suspension of the Claimant, having considered the submissions of the parties, it is quite clear to me that the suspension was made in order to investigate the Claimant over the allegations levelled against him. The law on suspension of an employee is that suspension is of two types. These are: ‘suspension pending enquiry’ and ‘suspension as a punishment’. See the case of <b>BasiriyuAdegokeSheu vs Lagos NURTW (First BRT) Coop. Society (unreported) Judgment in Suit Number NICN/LA/532/2013 delivered on July 1<sup>st</sup>, 2015, </b>where this Honourable Court, Per Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip expounded the principle 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:14.0pt;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;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The learned author continues at pages 236-237 that there are two types of suspension: ‘suspension pending enquiry’ and suspension as a punishment’. Suspension pending enquiry is not a punishment per se, for if the employee is not found guilty, the suspension has to be lifted and he has to be paid to full wages for the period, as if he was never suspended. On the other hand, suspension imposed on the establishment of guilt is in the nature of punishment; it can have adverse impact on the career prospects of the employee within the organization.</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"">From the content of Exhibit T, the letter of suspension dated 27<sup>th</sup> August 2007, the claimant was suspended apparently to pave way for enquiry and the power of an employer to suspend the employee for purposes of enquiry can hardly be questioned by the employee. It is within the employer’s right to suspend the employee in the disciplinary process. The Claimant has not made out any successful case against the suspension and I so find and 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: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"">However, coming to the point of pleading and proof of Terms and Conditions of Service of the Claimant, the learned Defendants’ counsel has submitted that nowhere in the Claimant’s pleadings did he plead his terms and conditions of employment. He also did not lead evidence on same. The learned Senior Counsel in his reply on points of law argued that the Claimant had satisfied all the ingredients required for him to prove his case. Here the established rule in cases of wrongful termination is the pleading and proof of terms and conditions of employment. In the case of <b><i>Chief TamunowmiIdoniboye-Obu vs NNPC (2003) 1 SCNJ at 108-109 </i></b>it was held that:<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-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"">A servant who complains that his employment has been wrongfully brought to an end must found his claim on the contract of service and show in what manner the wrong was done. He must plead and prove the contract of service which is the bedrock of his case. It is not the duty of the employer as the defendant to prove that the termination was not wrong. In the same vein, the court is not entitled to look outside the contract of service as to the terms and conditions. These must be gathered therefrom and/or from other sources which can be incorporated by reference to the contract as the case may be. It is the best and only way of deciding the rights of the parties under the contract.</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"">In a more recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of <b><i>BukarModuAji vs Chad Basin Authority & Anor (2016) 7 Appellate Court Employment Law Report (ACELR), p. 1,</i></b> it was re-affirmed that in a situation where a Claimant is challenging termination of his employment, he must plead and prove his Terms and Conditions of the employment. This was held to be necessary irrespective of whether the employment was one with statutory flavour or that of master and servant. The facts of that case are quite similar to what we have here and so let me briefly state them. The Appellant was an employee of the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent, while the 2<sup>nd</sup> Respondent was the mother ministry of the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent. The Appellant as plaintiff initiated a civil action against the Respondents as defendants through a writ of summons and statement of claim at the Federal High Court, Maiduguri, for a declaration that his dismissal from the service of the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent was unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever. The Appellant consequently sought for an order of reinstatement as well as an order compelling the Respondent to promote him to the position he was entitled to under the Federal Civil Service Rules and payment of all due and accrued entitlement from the date of his dismissal to the date of his reinstatement. The Appellant however failed to plead in his Statement of Claim the Terms and Conditions of his employment and no evidence was led in this regard. The 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent in reaction filed a four paragraph statement of defence seeking for the Appellant’s suit to be struck out on the grounds that same attempts to challenge an action taken by the Head of State under the Public Officers (Special Provisions) Act Cap 381, Laws of the Federation, 1990.<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"">Although the learned trial Judge found that the Appellant was not given fair hearing before he was dismissed he held that such a failure could not be in vacuum as the essential ingredient of the claim of the Appellant was missing. The trial court consequently dismissed the Appellant’s claim. Not satisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal which dismissed the appeal. Still dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court. In dismissing the Appeal, the Supreme Court held, per Onnoghen JSC at pp. 13-14 that:<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-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"">In this case the declaration relates to the employment of appellant which he alleged had been wrongfully terminated by dismissal. The above being the case, it is clear that for the appellant to succeed, he has the duty to plead and establish his employment and the terms of same….whether one is suing for wrongful dismissal from an employment with statutory flavour or under the common law principle of master and servant, the fact of employment and the terms and conditions of same must not only be pleaded but must be proved by evidence before a determination of the wrongful nature/dismissal can be considered by the court.</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"">I have carefully gone through the Claims of the Claimant as well as the all the other processes filed by him in support of same. There is nowhere that the terms and conditions of the Claimant’s employment with the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants was pleaded and no evidence was led on same. I note that the Claimant has pleaded the fact his employment relationship with the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent for which he tendered Exhibits A, B, C and D. But these are not the terms and conditions of the employment. <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"">Furthermore, the fact of the Claimant’s employment being statutorily flavoured does not negate from his duty to plead the said Terms and Conditions of employment. In determining that whether or not an employment is one that is statutorily flavoured the court must take cognizance of the pleaded terms and conditions of employment, which in themselves must have been made or derived from statute. See the case of <b><i>PHCN vs Offoelo (2013), supra.</i></b><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""> </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"><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""> </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>