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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION:</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"">E. J. Obi 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"">O. O. Anya 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"">The Claimant in this suit took out a Complaint dated 9<sup>th</sup> day of March, 2012 which was filed on 13<sup>th</sup> day of March, 2012 and in paragraph 33 of his Statement of facts establishing cause of action he claims the following reliefs against the Defendants:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size: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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> that the purported <b>compulsory retirement </b>of the Claimant from the services of the Nigerian Christian Hospital (2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant) vide a letter dated October 17, 2011 is contrary to the <b>“Nigerian Christian Hospital Retirement Policy”</b>, its Rules and Regulations as well as Claimant’s constitutional right to fair hearing and therefore, unlawful, wrongful, irregular, unconstitutional, null, 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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;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]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">that the Claimant not having attained the agreed age of 35 years of service to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital or 65 years of natural age, and not having been charged or found guilty of any misconduct or unfit or incapable in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities as a Medical Doctor in the employ of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup>Defendants, has not incurred any ground for his retirement, nor can he in the circumstance, be pre-maturely, punitively and compulsorily retired forthwith, from the services of the said Hospital (1<sup>st</sup>& 2<sup>nd</sup> 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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An Order of Court</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> setting aside the purported letter of compulsory retirement of the Claimant dated 17<sup>th</sup> day of October 2011 and re-instating the Claimant to his post and position in the services of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> 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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">4.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> that the Claimant still being a legitimate staff in the employ of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants is entitled to his full salaries and allowances from October 2011 until he attains the agreed retirement age of 35 years of service or 65 years of natural age.<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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">5.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Perpetual Injunction</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> restraining the Defendants from further tampering with Claimant’s employment or purporting to remove or unlawfully terminate or retire the Claimant from the employ of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants on account of the facts of this case and or contrary to the agreement with the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants and the Hospital’s Rules, Regulations and Retirement Policy.<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-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">OR IN ALTERNATIVE TO RELIEFS 4 & 5 ABOVE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">5(a)<b>An Orderof Court</b>compelling the Defendants to pay to the Claimant his full salaries, allowances and retirement benefits from October 2011 up to the agreed and approved retirement age of 65 years of age or 35 years of service in accordance with the Retirement Policy, Rules and Regulations of the Nigerian Christian Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><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 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">6.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> that by the accepted professional Rules of Conduct, Practice, Convention and Standards in the Medical Profession, the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant being a junior to the Claimant and many other Doctors in the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s Hospital in terms of year of qualification, service and experience in the employ of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants and not having acquired any higher Medical Professional or Managerial Certificate above any of the Senior Doctors in the said Hospital (including the Claimant), is not qualified or fit and proper to be made the Chief Medical Doctor/Administrator or Head of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant’s Hospital or Hospital Management Committee far and above any of the senior Doctors in the Hospital including the Claimant, in disregard of professional standards.<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 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">7.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An Order of Court</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> that the Nigerian Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, the Abia State and Federal Ministries of Health as supervising and umbrella bodies for maintenance of professional standards in the Medical profession, should investigate the activities and breach of Professional Medical Standards, Rules and Regulations in the 1<sup>st</sup>& 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant Hospital in the appointment of 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant as Chief Medical Director/Administrator of 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital and bring to Discipline any or all the Defendants who may be found culpable.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></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><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">9.(sic) An Order of Court </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">removing the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant as Chief Medical Director/Administrator of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant and compelling the 1<sup>st</sup> – 7<sup>th</sup> Defendants to comply with/abide by the approved and accepted Professional Standards in the appointment of a Chief Medical Director/Administrator of a Standard Hospital which the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant is or ought to be.<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 Complaint is accompanied by a Statement of Facts, list of witnesses for the Claimant, written statement on oath of the Claimant, list of documents to be relied upon at trial, and copies of the said documents. <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"">Upon being served with the processes of the Claimant, the defendants with leave of court filed their joint Statement of Defence dated 16/04/2012 but filed on 25/04/2012. The said Defence was accompanied with a list of witnesses, list of documents to be relied upon, written statements on oath of witnesses and copies of documents to be relied upon. Thereafter the Claimant filed a Reply to the Joint Statement of Defence of the Defendants on the 6<sup>th</sup> of November, 2012. The said Reply was accompanied with claimant’s additional Statement on oath and a list of additional documents to be relied upon with copies of same exhibited. Thereafter the Defendants with leave of court granted on 3<sup>rd</sup> December, 2013 filed an additional Statement on oath of Mr Shelly Ikonne, the 4<sup>th</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"">The case proceeded to hearing with the Claimant giving evidence as CW1 and tendered Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, F, F1, G, H, J, K, L, M and N. He was then cross examined by the learned Defendants’ Counsel. During the said cross-examination the defendants tendered through the CW1 Exhibits O, P1, P2, P3 and P4.<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"">Thereafter the Defendants opened their case and called one witness DW1. They tendered Exhibits Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, R, S, S1, S2, T and U. The DW1 was cross examined by the learned Claimant’s counsel. At the close of the case of the Claimant and the defence of the Defendants, parties filed and adopted their respective final written addresses.<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 learned defendants’ counsel filed his final written address dated 9<sup>th</sup> June 2015 on the 11<sup>th</sup> of June 2015. The learned Claimant’s Counsel filed his final written address dated 24<sup>th</sup> September, 2015 on the 28<sup>th</sup> day of September, 2015. Thereafter, the learned Defendants’ Counsel filed his Reply on Points of Law dated 14<sup>th</sup> day of December, 2015 on the same date.<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 Defendants’ counsel formulated and argued a single issue for determination, to wit:<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"">Was the termination of the appointment of the Claimant with the Nigerian Christian Hospital, Nlagu, in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State wrongful in the given circumstances of the case?<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"">On his own part, the learned Defendants Counsel formulated and argued the following issues for determination in this 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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<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"">What documents guide the terms and conditions of Claimant’s employment with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant-whether Exhibits A, B, C and O or Exhibit O alone; and what is the nature of the contract of employment between the Claimant and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant- a special “bonded” contract for a fixed term or a simple master and servant relationship determinable at Defendant’s pleasure?<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="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:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<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"">Whether the Defendants could unilaterally vary, alter, or amend or change the existing Rules and Regulations of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant in Exhibits B and C (regulating Claimant’s employment with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant) without consent/authority of the Claimant and whether Exhibits S, S1 and S2 (the purported new Hospital Rules dated April 1, 2011) unilaterally and arbitrarily made by the Defendants without consent of or notice to the Claimant, is not invalid or incapable of regulating the relationship between the Claimant and the Defendants?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">3.<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"">Having regard to the special intention of the parties regarding the nature of Claimant’s employment deducible from Exhibits A, B, C and O, whether the employment of the Claimant with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant is terminable at all before expiration of the first fixed term of 6 years, and thereafter, before Claimant’s attainment of 35 years of service or 65 years of natural age, and whether the purported letter of compulsory retirement with immediate effect in Exhibit D upon offer of one month salary in lieu of notice on allegation of purported re-organization of 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant is not invalid and thus not capable of determining the employment of the Claimant with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><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:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">4.<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"">Whether in the peculiar circumstance of this case the Claimant is not entitled to grant of reliefs 1-5(a) in his Statement of Claim?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><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"">In his final written address, learned counsel for the Defendants gave the facts of the case and argued the sole issue he raised for determination, namely, “was the termination of the appointment of the Claimant with the Nigerian Christian Hospital, Nlagu, in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State wrongful in the given circumstances of the case?” It the learned counsel’s contention that the Claimant’s employment with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant was predicated upon the transaction as flowing from Exhibit O. He then submitted that parties are bound by terms embodied in a contract of employment and extrinsic evidence is not admissible to add to, vary or subtract, referring to the case of <b><i>Layode vs Panalpina (1996) 6 NWLR (Pt. 293) p. 309 </i></b>and <b><i>Olarenwaju vs Afribank (Nig) Plc (2001) 13 NWLR (Pt. 731) 691 at 721.</i></b> Counsel further argued that the Claimant was not just as an employee who sought for a job so as to render his services and be paid but he was rather rendering his services as an obligation to pay off the liability due on him-in line with Exhibit O. This is because counsel submitted, the Claimant was trained in the University as a doctor by the 6<sup>th</sup> Defendant who demanded that the consideration to flow from the Claimant for the huge sums of money expended would be for the Claimant to serve or give his services to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant for a period of six years. Learned counsel referred to numerous pieces of evidence showing that the Claimant was trained in return for him to serve for the period of six years with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital. He then urged the court to hold that the service of the Claimant to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant hospital or otherwise his appointment with the hospital was only his consideration or pay-back for the funds he had received for his training to becoming a doctor. That put in another way, the Claimant was under an obligation to work in the employ of the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants for a period of six years-and failure to so work in that employ would render him liable to refunding a whopping sum of six thousand dollars (or its equivalent in local currency).<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"">Thereafter counsel posed the question “And having put in about (4) four years (with two years still due)-can it be held that the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants who are entitled to this bonded service will incur any liability by deciding to dispense with such service or employment of the Claimant?” to which he answered in the negative. Rather, counsel argued, it is the Claimant that has gained because he has been relieved of liability to put in two more years of service or pay 2000 dollars in lieu of giving such service. In sum total, Counsel urged the Court to hold that the Claimant came into the said employment by reason of, and on the basis of Exhibit O; he cannot be allowed to seek for damages against the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants for relieved of an obligation to them.<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 made the foregoing submission, learned counsel proceeded to address the issue at hand on the premise that the Claimant is (but without conceding same) an employee in the ordinary course of business. That firstly, the claimant’s employment was terminated and that it was not a case of dismissal. He submitted that there is a distinction between termination and dismissal. That termination gives parties the right to determine the contract at any time by giving the prescribed period of notice. Dismissal of an employee, on the other hand, is a disciplinary measure which carries no benefits. He referred to the case of <b><i>Adeko vs Ijebu-Ode District Council (1992) 1 SCNLR 349.</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"">Secondly counsel submitted that the contract of employment between the Claimant and the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants was terminable with the appropriate period of notice given or a one month salary in lieu of notice. Reference was made to pieces of evidence such as paragraph 6 of Exhibit A as well as paragraph 2 of Exhibit D. He also referred to numerous decisions including <b><i>Spring Bank Plc vs Babatunde (2012) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1292) p. 83 at 101 paras A-C </i></b>and <b><i>Guruba vs Kwara Investment Co. Ltd (2005) 5 NWLR (pt. 917) 160 at 179.<o:p></o:p></i></b></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, in paragraph 3.4 of his final written address counsel submitted to the court that the Claimant was compulsorily retired in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit DW1. Learned counsel essentially made the case that the Claimant was compulsorily retired as part of the re-organization effort of the 2<sup>nd</sup>Defendant by the 6<sup>th</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="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel further submitted that the Claimant had confused his status with that of employment which has statutory flavour. That an employment is said to have statutory flavour when the appointment is protected by statute or laid down regulations made to govern the procedure for employment and discipline of an employee. He referred to <b><i>Olaniyan vs University of Lagos (No. 2) (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 599) </i></b>and also the case of <b><i>Shitta-Bey vs E.P.S.C. (1981) 1 SC 4.</i></b> Counsel submitted that Claimant’s employment did not have statutory flavour as he was neither a civil servant nor was his appointment covered by any statute. Therefore the claimant’s employment was purely a private employment devoid of any statutory flavour. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Counsel further submitted that the orders sought for the removal of the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant as Administrator/Chief Medical Officer and for the investigation of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Practitioners Council as well as the declaration that the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant as a junior doctor heading the management of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant hospital was a disregard of professional standards are quite far-fetched and untenable.<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"">Finally, learned counsel submitted that the pertinent question is whether the claimant has proved his case against the defendants on the balance of probabilities or preponderance of evidence? He referred to sections 131, 132, 133 and 134 of the Evidence Act, 2011. He also cited <b><i>Tewogbade vsAkande (1968) NMLR 404 at 408, Madam Rabiatu Odofin & Ors vs A.R. Mogaji & Ors (1978) NSCC p. 275 </i></b>and <b><i>FBN vs Oniyangi (2000) 1 NWLR (Pt. 661) 497.</i></b> Learned counsel then urged the court dismiss the suit in its entirety as the Claimant has failed to prove his case on the preponderance of evidence and he asks for costs of N50,000.00 against 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"">For the Claimant, his learned counsel, as pointed earlier, formulated and argued four issues. On the first issue counsel submitted that having regard to the averments of the Claimant in paragraphs 5, 6 and 19 of his Statement of Claim, the admissions of the Defendants in paragraph 14 of their Statement of defence and paragraph 13 of the Written Statement on oath of DW1, weighed against the background of Exhibits A, B, C, D and O respectively, the contention of the Defendants that Claimant’s employment is regulated by Exhibit O alone, is greatly misconceived and does not represent the true position of affairs between Claimant and Defendants in law and in fact. That the relation between the Claimant and the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant is founded in contract of employment and that in determining any dispute that may arise between the parties the primary duty of the Court is to discover the intention of the parties regarding the contract. In doing that the Court is to construe the entirety of the surrounding circumstances, including the written or oral statement, so as to effectuate the intention of the parties. He referred to <b><i>Unity Bank Plc vs Olatunji (2015) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1452) 203 at 247 paras B-D, Daspan vs Mangu Local Government Council (2013) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1338) 203 </i></b>and <b><i>Afirlec Ltd vs Lee (2013) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1349) p.1, </i></b>amongst others.<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 the nature of the contract between the parties counsel submitted that it is one of a fixed term duration of 6 years at the first instance and thereafter automatically renewable until he attains 35 years of service or 60 years of natural age in the employment of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant. He referred to the views of Prof Chioma Agomo and Norman Selwyn in their respective books on the issue. Counsel urged the court to so hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><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 issue No. 2 learned counsel submitted that a contract of employment as that between Claimant and Defendants in this case cannot be unilaterally altered or varied by one party (the Defendants) without the consent and authority of the Claimant. That any such purported unilateral alteration or variation without Claimant’s consent is a nullity and the Claimant is at liberty to reject same as not binding on him. He referred to <b><i>Unity Bank Plc vs Olatunji, supra at pp 242 – 243 paras D-A and H; </i></b>and <b><i>Selwyn’s Law of Employment, op cit at pp 60 and 81 paras 3.51 and 3.53.</i></b> He then urged the court to hold that the Defendants have no right to unilaterally alter, amend or vary Exhibits B and C by making Exhibits S-S2.<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"">On Issue No. 3, learned counsel submitted that going by the special nature of the contract of employment between the Claimant and the defendants, Exhibit D was not sufficient to terminate the employment relationship. He urged the court to set Exhibit D aside for being vitiated by many vices catalogued in paragraphs inn 4.03 to 4.03.19.<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 issue 4, Counsel admitted straight away that in relation to reliefs 6-8 contained in the Statement of Claim, there isn’t sufficient evidence to prove same and urged the court to deem same as abandoned and struck out accordingly. However, in relation to reliefs 1-5(a) counsel submitted that the Claimant has proved same is therefore entitled to be granted the said reliefs. He canvasses arguments thereon in paragraphs4.04.3 to 4.04.20 and urged the court that to grant the Claimant’s reliefs.<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"">Replying on points of law, learned Defendants’ responded to each of the issues raised by the learned Claimant’s counsel. On the first issue, learned Defendants’ counsel maintained that Exhibit O remained the basis of the contract relationship between the Claimant and the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant. He distinguished the present case with those of relied upon by the Claimant especially that of <b><i>Omega Bank (Nig) Ltd vs OBC Ltd (2005) NWLR (Pt. 928) 547, (2005) vol. 123 LRCN 34,</i></b> on the basis that the contract interpreted here was not contract of employment. <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"">He further submitted that the special status of the contract between Claimant and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital does not amount to a contract for a fixed period of 6 years in the first instance and then automatically transforms into one in which he continues to work till he reaches 35 years of service or 60 years of age. <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"">Under issue No. 2 counsel for the Defendants again distinguished the present case with that of <b><i>Beta Glass Plc vs Epaco Holding, supra, </i></b>on the basis that the case (Beta Glass case) involved general contract and not contract of employment between employee and employer in which the employer had furnished the consideration of funds to train and turn the Claimant into the position and value of an employee and in which he was too return value for consideration (investment made on him) by the employer.<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 the principle that the terms of a contract should not be varied by one party learned Defendants counsel submitted that the terms under which the Claimant was brought to work with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant was not varied. And that policies were different from terms of a contract of employment. Furthermore, that the bonding in the present case is different from the bonding in the case of <b><i>BFI Group Corporation vs BPE, supra.</i></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"">On issue no. 3 counsel maintained that Claimant’s employment was not outside the ordinary master/servant relationship and that same was terminable by one month’s notice as stated in Exhibit A. <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 issue no. 4 counsel stated in his response that the employment or relationship of the Claimant to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant has no legal or statutory flavour as contemplated by the Supreme Court in the case cited and relied upon by the Defendants’, namely, <b><i>Chukwuma vs Shell Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd, supra.</i></b> Therefore, specific performance of the contract of employment of the Claimant is not tenable since contract was that of master/servant relationship; and reliefs 1-5(a) are not grantable.<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, evidence led as well as the arguments and submissions of both parties in this case and the issues for determination are:<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:l2 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 or not the termination of the Claimant’s employment with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital through compulsory retirement is 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="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:l2 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 Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to his reliefs?<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 issues, let me state the facts of the case in brief. The Claimant was sponsored by funds from the 6<sup>th</sup> Defendant to undergo undergraduate medical training at the University of Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. He spent a total of six years and qualified as a medical doctor. In line with the bond contained in the agreement of sponsorship he was employed by the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant Hospital to serve. Having served for four years, the Defendants decided to terminate the Claimant’s employment with the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant through a notice of compulsory retirement dated October 17, 2011. The Claimant is dissatisfied with the said compulsory retirement hence this suit.<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 addressing issue no. 1, it is the Claimant’s case that his compulsory retirement by the Defendants was contrary to the terms of his employment as evidenced by the pleadings, statement on oath and the provisions of the documents he tendered before the court. Thesedocuments basically are Exhibits A, B, C and O. The Defendants on their part argued that Exhibit O alone formed the basis of the employment relationship with the Claimant. Exhibit A is the letter of Appointment, Exhibit B is the Rules and Regulations of Nigerian Christian Hospital, Exhibit C, is the NCH Retirement Policy and Exhibit O is the Student Loan Agreement made between the Claimant and the Defendants. Having considered the arguments and submissions of the parties as well as the authorities cited, it is quite clear that the relationship between the Claimant and the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants(hereinafter ‘the Defendants’) is governed by much more than just Exhibit O. As rightly pointed out by the Claimant, it is the law that in a case of wrongful termination of employment the burden is on the Claimant to place before the court his letter of employment and all other documents showing terms and conditions of his employment. See <b><i>Morohunfola vs Kwara State College of Technology (1990), supra, Ante vs University of Calabar (2001), supra, </i></b>and <b><i>Francis AdesegunKatto vs Central Bank of Nigeria (1999) 6 NWLR (Pt. 607) 390.</i></b> The point must therefore be made that in looking for the basis of the employment relation between the parties resort must be had to those documents which found the contract itself as well as the terms and conditions thereof. In this case Exhibits A, B, C and O have fulfilled that requirement. A careful reading of all these documents shows that the employment relationship between the Claimant and the Defendants is contained not just in Exhibit O but in other documents as well, such as Exhibit A, B and C. Furthermore, the said documents must be read as whole and not in isolation to discover the intention of the parties. This I so find.<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"">It is further the contention of the Claimant that his contract of employment with the Defendants is a special one predicated on its being for a fixed period of 6 years in the first instance and thereafter for 35 years of service or 60 years of age, whichever comes first. In other words, the Claimant’s contract is one for a fixed period. He drew the court’s attention to paragraphs 5, 6 and 19 of the Statement of Facts as well as paragraphs 6, 7 and 21 of the Statement on oath of the Claimant. It is clear to me that the special nature of the contract which the Claimant calls the employment relationship with the Defendants means that the contract is not determinable unless the fixed period had expired or the retirement age reached either through years of service or age. Here, the Defendants,on their own part, also qualified the relationship as a special one but not because it was indeterminable in the manner canvassed by the Claimant but rather that because the claimant had a “special privilege of being trained with funds made available by 6<sup>th</sup> Defendant which is not common”.<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 Claimant has relied on the definition of fixed term contract and its implications as articulated by Professor Chioma Agomo and Selwyn’s Law of Employment both of which were encapsulated at paragraph 4.01.13 of the final written address of the Claimant. Professor Agomo’s views (at p. 77 of the book) on the issue of contracts for definite period are 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"">Contracts of definite duration are contracts which are expressly specified to be for a stipulated period, e.g. three years…A contract of definite duration lapses automatically on the expiry date, unless renewed. The distinguishing characteristic of a definite contract is the absence of a unilateral right to terminate the contract. It is a breach of contract to do so without the agreement of the other party to the contract.</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"">Selwyn’s views were also stated 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"">A fixed term contract is a contract of employment for a specified period of time, i.e. with a defined beginning and a defined end (Wilshire County Council v. National Association of Teachers etc). As a general rule, such a contract cannot be terminated before its expiry date except for gross misconduct or by mutual agreement…<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"">The question here however is: is the contract of employment between the Claimant and the Defendants one of a fixed or definite period of 6 years in the first instance and then automatically for the time that the Claimant serves for either 35 years or 65 years of age? The answer is to be found within the terms of the employment relationship between the Claimant and the Defendants. See <b><i>Ishieno vs Julius Berger Nig. Plc (2008) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1084) 582.</i></b>As I have earlier on found in this judgment, the basis of the employment relationship between the parties is to be found in Exhibits A, B, C and O. I have carefully perused the contents of each of the exhibits in question. Exhibit A is the basis of the contract of employment of the Claimant with Defendants. It has not expressly provided for any fixed term or period for the duration of the employment contract. In other words the contract of employment between the Claimant and the Defendants dated 17<sup>th</sup> January, 2008 has not clearly stated any duration for the said contract. It appears however, that the Claimant’s position of a fixed term is drawn from the contents of Exhibit C and O. I have carefully gone through the said Exhibits C and O. Exhibit C is the Retirement Policy of the Defendants which pegs retirement to 35 years of service or 65 years of age, whichever comes first. Exhibit O on the other hand is the Student Loan Agreement which is also the sponsorship agreement between the Claimant and the Defendants. I agree entirely with the claimant’s argument that Exhibit C, the Conditions of Service, has become part of the guiding conditions governing the employment relationship. On the other hand, the contents of Exhibit O relate to the sponsorship of the claimant and in particular, the bond agreement that bound the Claimant to work for the Defendants upon successful completion of studies. The relevant portions of Exhibit O [paragraphs (3), (5), (6) and (7)] are hereby reproduced:<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""> <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;text-indent:-.5in"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(3) The agreed cost to be expended on the student’s medical training shall not exceed <u>S1, 000 per school year</u> for no more than <u>6</u>years, unless this requirement is altered in writing by ACHF. (We understand that the student plans to graduate in the year 2003.)<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) ACHF’s loans to student shall bear simple interest at the rate of 10% per year from the date of making until repaid, unless forgiven by ACHF. Each semi-annual loan to student shall be treated as a separate loan. Upon completion of student’s medical training (or no later than 6 years from the date of the first loan), all loans made by ACHF shall be due and payable. The total debt shall be paid in a number of equal annual payments, the number of annual payments being determined by the number of school years for which ACHF provided loans to the student. The first equal annual instalment of principal plus accrued interest shall be due one year after the date of the completion of the student’s residency or internship (or no later than one year following student’s discontinuing his/her medical education).<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) At the end of the medical training, the student shall be bound to work in one of the medical facilities of ACHF, or at any other medical facility approved (in writing) by ACHF. <b>For each year the student works for ACHF, ACHF shall forgive one year’s loans to student.</b> Additionally, the student (then “new employee”) shall receive a salary set by ACHF and commensurate with what others of similar training are receiving at that time. Loan payments shall be suspended during such periods of work by student with ACHF.<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) Where for any reason whatsoever the student breaches this agreement by failing to work (after the said medical training) for ACHF or any of its approved medical facilities, the student shall be liable to re-pay the loans made to student.<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"">It seems to me that the Claimant’s argument that his contract with the Defendants is for six (6) years in the first instance is not supported by the express provisions of either Exhibit C or O. Exhibit O is the document that refers to a service bond for a period that is equivalent to number of years that the Claimant was sponsored. Even here, the Claimant after having been trained could still refuse serving the defendants, only that he would have to repay the loan in full, unless he is forgiven by them. It should be noted that the authorities relied upon by theClaimant, especially, Professor Agomo’s views, refer to fixed contracts being “expressly specified to be for a stipulated period, e.g. three years.” The essential ingredient here is that the fixed period must be specified expressly and clearly. I have not seen anything before me which clearly shows that the Claimant’s contract of employment with the Defendants is for a fixed term of 6 years in the first instance. The contents of Exhibit O are only relevant in the context of the sponsorship of the Claimant and the obligation to serve for the period for which he was sponsored. In fact where the Claimant decides not to serve at all, the only remedy available to the Defendants is for him to re-pay the amount of money expended on him during the studies. Therefore, looking at the weight of the evidence and the position of the law, I am not convinced that the Claimant’s contract in this case is for a fixed period of 6 years in the first instance. <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 other limb of the Claimant’s argument is that even at the expiration of the 6 years, the contract would only become terminable after the Claimant had served for 35 years or had reached the age of 65years. This position of the Claimant is predicated on the Retirement Policy of the Defendants. Here, the Claimant has argued and submitted that the Retirement Policy is as it is contained in Exhibit C, dated 14<sup>th</sup> March, 2003. However, the Defendants have tendered and maintained that the retirement policy is to be found in the revised Conditions of Service dated April 1, 2011, Exhibit S.Having considered the arguments and submissions of learned counsel, the view of the claimant that the Defendants as his employers lack the power to vary or change conditions of service applicable to him is not supported by labour law. I understand that the Claimant relies on general law of contract to argue that there is need for consent of the Claimant, being a party to the employment agreement, before same can be altered. But in terms of labour and employment law, the employer has the right to alter the terms and conditions of service and no consent of the employee is required for such alteration and it becomes effective and applicable. This can be gleaned from the right of the employer to re-structure or reorganize his organization without having to wait for the consent of the employees. See <b><i>Mbachu vs AIRBDA (2006) LPELR-1850 (SC), (2006) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1000) 691; ECWA vs Dele (2004) 10 FWLR (Pt. 230) 297 </i></b>and <b><i>Chief D.A. Eboreime vs Mr B.S. Arumene (1977) LPELR-12812 CA.</i></b>It must however be pointed out that the right of the employer to vary or alter the conditions carries with it the corresponding duty to notify the Claimant of the new terms and conditions so that he can avail himself of same. It is therefore not tenable at all, the argument of the defendants that the claimant had the duty to avail himself of the new terms and conditions but failed to do so. The duty is that of the defendants to notify the claimant of any alteration or variation. See the views of learned author, <b><i>Ravi Singhania, Employment Law in India, 2<sup>nd</sup> Edition, CCH Wolters Kluwer business, New Delhi, p. 70 paragraph 2-190.</i></b>The said notice of change would give the employee the opportunity to equally adjust his position as a consequence. This cannot happen without the notice.<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 main amendment which one finds which is significant to this suit as contained in Exhibit, S-S2 is the further rules stipulated in relation to retirement. Whereas the stipulation in Exhibit C had a general provision in relation to retirement, either after 35 years of service or 65 years of age, whichever comes first, the said Exhibit S has added a new provision 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-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICE AND RETIREMENT<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The hospital recognizes retirement in various forms:<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"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Voluntary Retirement:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> the staff notifies the management in writing with one month notice about the planned retirement.<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mandatory Retirement:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The Staff would be required to retire on the attainment of 60 year (sic) of age or 35 years of service, depending on which comes first. The staff would be given at least 3 months pre-retirement 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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Compulsory Retirement:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> A staff could be retired for the purpose of reorganizing the hospital or on health grounds, if not qualified for Mandatory retirement. Such staff would be given one month notice or paid in lieu.<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upon retirement an employee is entitled to the payment of gratuity in relation to the number of year’s (sic) served and annual salary. Currently, the gratuity is calculated as follows: Number of years served x 5% annual salary. However, employees must have served 2 years to qualify for a gratuity (retirement benefit).</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"">In the circumstance the Claimant’s reliance on Exhibit C and not Exhibit S as the basis for the challenge of the compulsory retirement has been knocked off. However, this is not to say that the compulsory retirement of the Claimant by the Defendants is not wrongful. We have to consider the contents of Exhibit D, the letter of retirement which states the circumstances of the retirement of the Claimant and compare same with the terms and conditions of the employment relationship. Exhibit D states asfollows:<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""> <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""> <i> October 17, 2011<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Dr Moses Udochi Ubani<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nigerian Christian Hospital<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nlagu<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Dear Dr Moses Ubani,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <b>NOTICE OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:107%;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"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As part of the on-going restructuring of Nigerian Christian Hospital, we write on behalf of the management committee of Nigerian Christian Hospital (NCH) and the Board of the International Health Care Foundation (IHCF) that as of today, you are relieved of your present appointment in Nigerian Christian Hospital.<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">You would receive one month (November) salary in lieu of notice, as well as other entitlements (including NCH Retirement Benefit) in due course. However, you are requested to hand over all Hospital’s property and documents in your custody to the Administrative Secretary (Ucheci Nworu) at the close of work today.<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">We regret any inconvenience this development may cause you, but do wish you the very best in your future endeavors. Thank you very much for your loyal service to Nigerian Christian Hospital.<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sincerely,<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"><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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Signed Signed Signed<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"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr Kelechi Eguzo Br Brian Camazine Mr Kingsley<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"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Director, NCH For: the Board of IHCF Secretary, NCH<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"">It is the Claimant’s contention that this letter of retirement is null and void for breaching the terms and conditions of his employment. The main plank upon which the attack to the retirement was rested is the fact that the employment is for a determined or fixed period and is therefore not susceptible to any termination before the expiration of the said period. In the Claimant’s view therefore, the letter of retirement breaches the fundamental term of fixed period by claiming to end the relationship prematurely with offer of one month’s salary in lieu of notice. However, as I have earlier on held in this judgment, the Claimant has not proved that his contract of employment with the Defendants is one for a fixed period thereby making it a special contract outside the scope of master/servant relationship. <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"">Here, I further agree with the Defendants that there is a misconception on the part of the Claimant. His relationship with the Defendants is essentially one of master/servant relationship and not one with statutory flavour which is the relationship that enjoys special status in the sense that it cannot be terminated at all except an employee reaches retirement age or is found guilty of misconduct for which he could be dismissed. The Claimant’s contract of employment in this case not being one with statutory flavour does not enjoy any protection that would prevent either party from bringing it to an end when circumstances require. See <b><i>Ahmed vs ABU & Anor (2016) LPELR-40261 (CA); FRSC vs Idowu (2016) LPELR-40153 (CA); Bashar vs Jokolo (2016) LPELR-4024 (CA); New Nigeria Newspapers Limited vs Mr Felix Atoyebi (2013) LPELR-21489 (CA), Olaniyan vs University of Lagos (No.2) (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 9) 599 </i></b>and <b><i>Shitta-Bey vs FPSC (1981) 1 SC 4.</i></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;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendants have decided to retire the Claimant for the purpose of re-organization. The pleading and evidence tendered by the Defendants in this regard, especially of DW1 at paragraphs 25 and 26 of the additional Statement on oath all point to the justification for the reason offered in Exhibit D for the termination of the Claimant by the Defendants. I therefore find no difficulty in holding that theClaimant’s compulsory retirement is not wrongful.<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 said that however, the Claimant has rightly raised the issue of the Defendants’ failure to pay himthe one month’s salary in lieu of notice, in which he relied on the authority of <b><i>Chukwuma vs Shell Petroleum Dev. Co. of Nig. Ltd (1993), supra.</i></b>It is quite clear from the decision cited that the obligation to give the appropriate notice, in this case, one month, or month’s salary in lieu of notice, has not been complied with by the Defendants. The payment should have been made at the time of the service of the compulsory retirement notice to the Claimant. This having not been done, there is a breach by the Defendants. This 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"">On the whole the first issue is substantially resolved against the Claimant except for the payment of month’s salary in lieu of notice.<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 second issue, the Claimant has asked for the grant of reliefs 1-5(a) and has abandoned all the other reliefs 6, 7 and 8. The said reliefs 6, 7 and 8 are accordingly hereby struck out. The said reliefs 1-5(a) are all rooted on the wrongfulness of the compulsory retirement of the Claimant by the Defendants’ as reflected on Exhibit D. With my finding that that the compulsory retirement was not wrongful, all the reliefs must fail and are accordingly hereby refused. <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 shall be paid the one month’s salary in lieu of notice and for the breach of the Defendants duty to pay the Claimant the one month salary in lieu of notice at the time of the compulsory retirement, and pursuant to the powers of the Court under Section 19(2) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006, the <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"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="DA5D7057" style='width:468pt;height:282pt;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Ajax\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" o:title="DA5D7057"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img width="624" height="376" src="file:///C:/Users/Ajax/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" alt="DA5D7057" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><!--[endif]--><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""> </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>