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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"">K. A. Uzokaesq. 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"">RotimiAremo Esq. appeared for the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <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""> </span></b></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 approached this Honourable Court on 21<sup>st</sup> December, 2012 with a Complaint praying for the following reliefs against the Defendant:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size: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:l2 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]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration that the Claimant is still a staff of the Defendant bank whose employment can only be terminated by compliance to the due process of the terms of his employment and the Employees hand book dated March 2007 and the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">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;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant or and its agencies from summarily dismissing or terminating the Claimant’s employment with the Defendant without recourse to due process as provided by the terms of employment and the law.<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:l2 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]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The sum of N100,000,000=(One Hundred Million Naira) being general damages for the pains, suffering and embarrassment caused to the Claimant by the needless and incessant arrest by the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, unjustifiably instigated by the Defendant.<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:l2 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]--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The sum of N1,000,000=(One Hundred(sic) Million Naira) being legal fees incurred by the Claimant in filing and prosecuting this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Complaint is accompanied with a Statement of Facts, list of witnesses, witness statement on oath and copies of documents to be relied upon at trial. Upon receiving the processes of the Claimant the Defendant on 12/07/2013 filed its Defence, list of witnesses, witness statement on oath and copies of documents to be relied upon at trial. Following that the claimant filed a reply on 23/10/2012. Having joined issues the matter proceeded to trial. The Claimant gave evidence as CW1 and tendered Exhibits C1, CW1, CW2, CW3, CW5, CW6, CW7, CW8, CW9, CW11, CW12, C13A, C13B, C13C, CW14, CW15, C16, CW17 and CW18. The CW1 was cross examined by the Defendant’s counsel.<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 Defendant called one witness DW1 who tendered Exhibits D1 and D2. The DW1 was cross examined by the learned Claimant’s counsel. The case was adjourned for filing of 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 defendant’s final written address dated 20<sup>th</sup> August, 2015 was filed on 25<sup>th</sup> August, 2015. Then the Claimant’s final written address dated 4<sup>th</sup> November, 2015 was filed on 10<sup>th</sup> November, 2015. Thereafter the Defendant filed a reply on points of law. Parties adopted their respective final 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"">In his written address the learned counsel for the Defendant formulated and argued a lone issue 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="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"">Whether the Claimant is entitled to his claims as formulated in the originating processes i.e the complaint and statement of facts considering the evidence presented by the parties in this case.<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"">On his own part, learned counsel for the Claimant formulated and argued two issues for 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"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></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 lfo2"><!--[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"">Whether the Claimant has proved that he is still a staff of the Defendant to entitle him to his relief one and whether the Defendant was able to prove its claim that it had dismissed the Claimant.<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="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 lfo2"><!--[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]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Claimant has proved that he is entitled to his claims and or reliefs.</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"">The summary of the facts of the case averred by the Claimant is that the Claimant has been a staff of the Defendant since 2005. Then in 2011 the Claimant and others were questioned in relation to account of one customer C&M Limited. They were then placed on a 90 day recovery suspension. The claimant was recalled after 7 months. However, in July 2012 the Claimant was invited on the same issue. He was again confronted with another allegation from EFCC this time that he diverted funds through Dully Shipping and Trading Company.He and his colleagues were suspended again and asked to conduct reconciliation on that account which should be conducted along with Internal Audit Department staff to determine the true position of the account. That the reconciliation was still ongoing when the claimant’s colleagues were dismissed but according to him he was not dismissed. With apprehension of dismissal the Claimant filed this suit to prevent the Defendant from dismissing him in the same manner that his colleagues were 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"">On its part the Defendant averred that the Claimant and others made the Defendant to lose money by negligently not stopping the Company (Account Holder) from withdrawing from the account. That withdrawals were made by the C&M Company Directors and the said Directors diverted funds to other accounts and that the Claimant was negligent to have allowed those Directors to do that. It is equally the case of the Defendant that the Claimant was dismissed by it even before he filed this 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"">In considering the merits of this case I have to state that both parties formulated and argued similar issues. In my view the issue for determination is whether the Claimant is entitled to his claims having regard to the preponderance of evidence presented before the 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"">The Defendant argued reliefs 1 and 2 together and these reliefs are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size: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:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.5in;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"">i.<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"">A Declaration that the Claimant is still a staff of the Defendant bank whose employment can only be terminated by compliance to the due process of the terms of his employment and the Employees hand book dated March 2007 and the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<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="MsoListParagraph" 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:l1 level1 lfo3"><!--[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]--><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant or and its agencies from summarily dismissing or terminating the Claimant’s employment with the Defendant without recourse to due process as provided by the terms of employment and the law.</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"">To the Defendant’s learned counsel the reliefs sought are to the effect that the Claimant is not challenging his dismissal or termination of employment but rather he is postulating that he is still in the employment of the Defendant. He then submitted that in a contract of employment notice of termination of employment can either be oral or in writing or it can even be inferred from the circumstances of each case. He added that in an action founded on termination of employment what is material is that the parties affected are aware that the employment has been brought to an end which means even if the employee is not served the requisite notice or even letter of termination or dismissal once he is aware that the employment has been brought to an end he cannot be heard to complain that he is not aware that his employment has been terminated because the employer did not formally serve him letter of termination. He referred to the case of <b><i>Ifeta vs SPDC (2006) All FWLR pg. 305 at 335to 336.</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"">Therefore, counsel submitted that from the evidence adduced in this case the fact that the employment of the Claimant was brought to an end via his dismissal is established by the evidence of the Claimant himself and the letter of dismissal tendered by the Defendant at trial. Part of the evidence relied upon by the Defendant to show that the Claimant was aware that he had been dismissed is Exhibit C11, an internal memo of the Defendant which states in part 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"">Am so shocked and surprised to hear that a dismissed staff is still having key (access) to his office particularly when the staff in question, to the knowledge of the Branch, has instituted an action against the Bank in Court. This trend can pose threat to the ongoing litigation if not checked.<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"">Consequently, you are to retrieve the key and all other properties of the Bank from the staff. Furthermore, he should not be allowed access to his office or indeed any office at all. He should also not be allowed to have access to the system. His access should be limited, and strictly limited to the Banking Hall for the purpose of transacting business…and no more. This restriction should also be extended to all the other staff that were dismissed along with him.<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""> <i>Please this advice should be strictly complied with.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size: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 counsel submitted that the Claimant cannot claim ignorance of his dismissal more so that he had not received salary since his dismissal in December, 2012.<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"">Furthermore counsel urged the court to hold that as at the time the Claimant instituted this suit he had already been dismissed and therefore his claim for injunction should be dismissed as it cannot be granted against a completed act. He referred to <b><i>NBM Bank Ltd vs Oasis Group Ltd (2004) All FWLR (Pt. 239) p. 915 at 921-2 </i></b> and <b><i>CBN vs Industrial Bank Ltd (Merchant Bankers) (1997) 9 NWLR (Pt. 522).</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"">Learned counsel further submitted that even though there is nothing before the court to show that the Claimant was challenging his dismissal in this suit, nevertheless if the court accepts to go into the validity of the dismissal, the Defendant has power to dismiss the claimant for misconduct as stipulated in Exhibit C1, the Defendant’s handbook. That the Defendant as employer of the Claimant has the power to dismiss him for gross misconduct without notice and without wages. He referred to <b><i>Yusuf vs U.B.N. Ltd (1996) 6 NWLR (Pt. 457) p. 632 at 648.</i></b> Counsel added further that where an employee was negligent in performing his duties, the employee can be dismissed summarily without notice and without wages relying on <b><i>Mallam Abdu Mohammed Ningi vs First Bank of Nigeria Plc (1996) 3 NWLR (Pt. 435) p. 220 at 230-232.</i></b> He further submitted that the claimant was found guilty of misconduct following his appearance before the Bank’s disciplinary committee. His dismissal is therefore in order having complied with the provisions of Exhibit C1. Consequently reliefs 1 and 2 should be dismissed by the Honourable 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"">Learned counsel further proffered another argument that the Claimant did not plead and lead evidence of the terms and conditions of service with the Defendant relying on <b><i>Ningi’s case, 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"">On the 3<sup>rd</sup> relief, counsel submitted that this court has no jurisdiction to entertain same since it borders on unlawful arrest. He submitted that the provisions of Section 254C (i)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), etc of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, Laws of the Federation Third Alteration, 2010 and Section 7(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006 do not confer jurisdiction on this Court to entertain and hear claims that border on unlawful arrest. He referred to <b><i>John vs Igbo Etiti Local Government Area (2013) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1352) at 6 Ratio 3 </i></b>and <b><i>Coca Cola (Nig) Limited vs Akinsanya (2013) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1386) at 265 Ratios 1 and 2.</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"">Furthermore, counsel submitted that even where the Court held otherwise and assumed jurisdiction on the claim, there was no unlawful arrest of the Claimant. That the Claimant was invited by both Police and EFCC and was released after interrogation on every occasion. That the Defendant too does not incur any liability for reporting a crime to the Police or the Security agencies. He referred to <b><i>Nwosu vs State (2004) All FWLR (Pt. 218) p. 916 at 932 </i></b>and <b><i>Nwadinobi vs Botu (2002) FWLR (Pt. 96) p. 450 at 458.</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"">On Claim number 4, which is for payment of the sum of one million naira being legal fees incurred by the Claimant in prosecuting this suit counsel said same is misconceived and unethical. He referred to <b><i>Guinness Nig Plc vs Nwoke (2000) 15 NWLR (Pt. 689) p. 135 at 138.</i></b> He then submitted that the since the claimant is not entitled to any of the reliefs based on his foregoing submissions the court should dismiss the claim for costs of litigation in its entirety.<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 counsel urged the court to dismiss the claims of the Claimant and the suit with costs.<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 counsel for the claimant on his first issue which is whether he has proved that he is still a staff of the Defendant to entitle him to relief one and whether the Defendant was able to prove its claim that it had dismissed the claimant, argued that the Claimant had proved that he is still a staff of the Defendant while the Defendant failed woefully to prove that it had dismissed the Claimant. Therefore counsel submitted that the claimant is entitled to relief one which is a declaratory relief relying on Section 19(b) of the National Industrial Court Act 2006 which gives power to the court to grant declaratory reliefs.<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 addressing this issue, I think it is proper to take it along with the 2<sup>nd</sup> relief which is for injunction against the Defendant over dismissal of the Claimant. It is the Claimant’s case that he had not been dismissed by the Defendant and that since he had filed this suit the Defendant cannot dismiss him without following due process by which he means compliance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the Staff Handbook of the Defendant. The thorny issue here is the dispute between the parties over whether the Claimant had been dismissed already before he came to court on 21<sup>st</sup> day of December, 2012. To the Claimant he had not been dismissed. It was just that his colleagues were dismissed which informed his decision to come to court to stop the Defendant from dismissing him, just perhaps, like his colleagues, over the same facts and circumstances.<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 its own part, the Defendant has pleaded and led evidence to say that the Claimant was dismissed summarily as from the 6<sup>th</sup> of December, 2012, well before he instituted this suit on the 21<sup>st</sup> of December, 2012. See paragraph 6 of the Statement of defence and paragraph 5 of the Statement on oath of the DW1. The problem here though there is nothing before the court to show that the letter of dismissal was served on the Claimant or that he was aware of his dismissal before the 9<sup>th</sup> day of January, 2013. Exhibit D1, the letter of dismissal dated December 6, 2012, does not have any acknowledgement on it showing it was received by the Claimant. On this point the DW1 was cross examined 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: You told the court that the letter of dismissal of the Claimant was issued to the Claimant?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DW1: Yes. A letter of termination is issued from the Head Office for delivery to the staff involved.<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: When did the Branch deliver the letter to the Claimant?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DW1: I do not know. The letter is dated 6<sup>th</sup> but it was delivered to the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: When was the letter delivered?<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DW1: I do not know when it was delivered to him but he stopped coming to work after receiving same.<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: Take a look at Exhibit D1, when did the Claimant stop coming to work?<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DW1: The Claimant had ceased to be a staff from the date of the letter of dismissal.</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"">The evidence of DW1 here is unhelpful in showing the exact date on which the said letter of dismissal was delivered or served upon the Claimant. Furthermore, under cross examination of the Claimant, he stated that though he was aware of the dismissal of his colleagues he was not served with any letter of dismissal. The evidence is 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: The 3 other members that appeared with you have been dismissed by the Bank?<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: Yes, that is correct. That took place in the month I do not know. I also do not know why they were dismissed.<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: I put it to you that you were equally dismissed like your colleagues in December, 2012?<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: It is not correct. This present action is not an afterthought because records have it that I was reporting to work in my office up to January. Throughout that period no letter was served on me.<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">X<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: I put it to you that you have ceased to be a staff of the Defendant since the month of December, 2012, when you were summarily dismissed along with your 3 colleagues?<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:-1.0in; 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:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: It is not true.</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"">It is also the Claimant’s consistent position that he had not been served the said letter of dismissal. What this means is that placing all the pieces of evidence relating to this on the scale of justice it is quite evident that the dismissal letter was not served on the Claimant and he was not aware of it up to the 9<sup>th</sup> of January, 2013 when the keys to his office and safe were recovered from him. But there is also a critical point which is that the Claimant had been on suspension since July 12, 2012. See Exhibit CW7. There is nothing before the court to show that he was actually recalled from this second suspension meted out on July 12, 2012 until December, 2012. What I am driving at here is that the relationship between the Claimant and the Defendant had gone sour already since the said second suspension. However, the letter of dismissal which predated this suit was not served on the Claimant before he instituted the suit. At best he became aware that he had been dismissed by the 9<sup>th</sup> of January, 2013 when he was removed from his office. This I so find.<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, relief one of the Claimant is about his claim that his employment is still subsisting for which in relief two he is asking the Hon. Court to restrain the Defendant from dismissing him unless through due process. I have carefully considered the submissions of both parties on the point. The Claimant seems to be working on the assumption that the court can restrain an employer from terminating the employee and even perpetually at that. I do not think that is the correct position of the law. The law is that the employer has the right to summarily dismiss the employee for misconduct. The implication of this is that an employee cannot be said to have the right to prevent an employer from exercising his right to dismiss the employee. The Court does not have the power in master/servant relationship or employment without statutory flavour, to impose an employee on an unwilling employer. In the case of <b><i>Osisanya vs Afribank Plc (2012) 2 NILR 214 at 235-236 </i></b>the Supreme Court, per Katsina-Alu JSC, stated the principles lucidly 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:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">In an action of this nature, certain settled principles must always be borne in mind. The first is that in a master and servant relationship, dismissal of the employee by the employer cannot be declared null and void and of no effect. The employee’s remedy is in damages where the termination of the appointment or dismissalis held to be wrongful. See Bankole v. NBC (1968) 2 All NLR 372; Osakwe v. Nigeria Papers Mill Limited. (1998) 7 SCNJ 22; (1998) 10 NWLR (Pt. 568)1; Katto vs CBN (1999) 6 NWLR (Pt. 607) 390.<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"">It is also settled that the Court cannot impose a servant on an unwilling master. See Dr Chukwuma vs Shell Petroleum Development Co. of Nigeria (1993) 4 NWLR (Pt. 289) 512 at 560; Olarewaju v. Afribank Nigeria Plc (2001) 13 NWLR (Pt. 731) 691 at 705.<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 the present case, the appellant cannot seek a declaration that his employment is still subsisting. His remedy, as I have already stated is in damages as regards his salary and other accrued entitlements at the time of dismissal or termination of the employment. This indeed is what the Court of Appeal has decided. It was right.<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"">See also the views of the learned author, <b>Femi Aborishade in his book titled <i>“Determination of Contract of Employment in Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, published by Humanitas Consult Ltd & Centre for Labour Studies (CLS), Ibadan</i></b>.” Page 143 where he observed 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 other words, even where the termination is unlawful, the only remedy for the employee-victim lies in damages as it is not the business of the court to force a willing employee on an unwilling employer. These same principles have been adopted and reiterated in a plethora of authorities, including <b>Union Bank of Nigeria PLC vs Chinyere (2012) NILR 41 at 65 and 66.</b></span></i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the point the learned Defendant’s counsel, in my humble view, captured the position quite correctly when he submitted that to grant the reliefs of the Claimant would amount to imposing a willing employee on an unwilling employer. I understand the Claimant’s argument that it does not amount to imposing an employee on employer but it is quite frankly difficult to see what else it is. The Claimant wants the Court to prevent the Defendant from terminating the Claimant by dismissing him unless there is compliance with the terms of the Contract of Employment and Conditions of Service. But the said compliance can only be determined where the termination or dismissal has actually taken place. Therefore to restrain the employer by an injunction in a master/servant relationship is to shackle such an employer from exercising his rights at all. The proper thing would be for the employer to be allowed to exercise his right and the employee can then challenge same and have the appropriate remedy(ies).<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 view of the foregoing reliefs 1 and 2 of the Claimant are not grantable and they fail accordingly.<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 3<sup>rd</sup> relief is one on which the learned Defendant’s counsel raised a jurisdictional issue wherein he submitted that the Honourable Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the claim sought, relying on Section 254C (i)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), etc of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, Laws of the Federation Third Alteration, 2010 and Section 7(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006. To learned counsel these provisions do not confer jurisdiction on this Court to entertain and hear claims that border on unlawful arrest. He referred to <b><i>John vs Igbo Etiti Local Government Area (2013) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1352) at 6 Ratio 3 </i></b>and <b><i>Coca Cola (Nig) Limited vs Akinsanya (2013) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1386) at 265 Ratios 1 and 2.</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"">Learned Defendant’s counsel also had an alternative argument in the event the court rules that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the claim. This is that the Claimant was never even arrested by either the Police or EFCC and that the Defendant cannot be liable for reporting a crime to the Police or Security Agencies. He also added that the proper parties are not before the court, i.e., the Police and the EFCC. He referred to <b><i>Nwosu vs State, supra </i></b>and <b>Fajemirokunvs C.B. (C.L.) (Nig) Ltd (2002) 10 NWLR (Pt. 774) p. 95 at 110.<o:p></o:p></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"">On his own part, learned Claimant’s counsel in reaction to objection raised by the Defendant’s counsel simply referred the court to Section 19(d) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006 which gives the Court the power to award compensation or damages in any circumstances contemplated by the Act or any Act of the National Assembly dealing with any matter that the Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine. He then submitted that this court has the power to grant relief 3 sought by the Claimant. He also submitted that the cases of <b><i>Igbo-Etiti, supra, Nwosu vs State, supra, </i></b>and <b><i>Fajemirokun, supra, </i></b>are all not relevant to the point in issue. He maintained that even though reference was made in paragraphs 3-22 of the Statement of facts to arrest and detention, it is not the focus of the relief. That the focus of the relief actually is compensation for the injury he suffered.<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"">Having considered the point raised and argued by the parties on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain relief 3 of the Claimant, the question to determine is whether or not the court indeed has jurisdiction to entertain, hear and determine the said claim as constituted. The said claim reads 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. The sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) being general damages for the pains, suffering and embarrassment caused to the Claimant by the needless and incessant arrest by the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, unjustifiably instigated by the Defendant.<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"">In determining jurisdiction of court regard must be had to the relevant statute establishing the Court or the statute under which a claim is made to ascertain if the court is indeed clothed with power to entertain the subject matter of the dispute, along with other requirements for which have been settled as the yardstick for establishing jurisdiction. See <b><i>Mike Amadi vs Federal Republic of Nigeria (2008) 12 S.C. (Pt. III) 55; Sofolahan vs Fowler (2002) 3 S.C. 89 </i></b>and <b><i>Madukolu vs Nkemdilim (1962) 2 All NLR 581.</i></b> It is also well settled that it is the Statement of Facts of the Claimant that should be considered in determining jurisdiction.<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 the instant case, by his Statement of Facts in this case the Claimant seeks damages from the Defendant who unjustifiably instigated the Police and the EFCC to arrest and detain the Claimant thereby causing him pains, suffering and embarrassment. From the averments in paragraphs 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20 and21 of the statement of fact the Claimant is clearly alleging that he was severally arrested and detained at the instance of the Defendant for which he wants the court to determine and award him compensation. The question is whether this Court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the issue of arrest and detention for the purpose of damages. <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 argument of the Claimant that the Court has jurisdiction wherein he relied on Section 19(d) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006 does not appear to be convincing. Before the point of award of damages is reached, the Court hasconsider in to the issue of the arrest and detention first. I am not convinced at all that this court has the jurisdiction to determine the issue of arrest and detention and what was suffered as a result. The Claimant has not shown clearly that arrest and detention are labour matters which the court can delve into. In the circumstance therefore it is my view which I so hold that relief no. 3 is outside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction to hear and determine same.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I now move to relief number 4 which has to do with claim for payment of legal fees claimed by the Claimant. The Defendant has submitted that it is unethical and has relied on the decision of <b><i>Guinness vs Nwoke, supra.</i></b> The claimant however maintained his ground arguing that it is within his right to claim for the Solicitors fees from the Defendant, referring the Hon. Court to Order 24 rule 2 of the National Industrial Court Rules, 2007. <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 considered the submissions of both counsel and I have to say straight away that the claim for solicitor’s fees has not been justified by the Claimant. The Rule of Court, Order 24 rule 2 of the National Industrial Court Rules, 2007 does not provide for a claimant to claim for legal fees in the manner he has sought to do in this case. The rule cited is about computation of costs where they are awarded. It is also trite that the claim for legal fees to be borne by the other party in the manner couched by the claimant has been stated to be improper. In the case of <b><i>Nwoke, supra, </i></b>cited and relied upon by the Defendant, his lordship, Ibiyeye, JCA, at p. 150 opined 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 crucial question is; Did this head of claim arise as a result of damage suffered by the cross appellant in the course of any transaction between him and the cross respondent? This is the question that ought to pre-occupy the mind of any reasonable tribunal dealing with the circumstances of the instant head of claim. A reasonable tribunal, such as this court, will definitely opine that the quality of evidence adduced by the cross-appellant on this score fell below the standard of acceptability because the circumstances making up the so called “special damages” occurred after the cause of action in this case had arisen. The seemingly financial inconvenience of the Solicitor’s fees of staggering N500,000.00 to the cross-appellant did not form part of the basis of the tort of detinue on which the cross-appellant pivoted his cause of action. In addition, the character of the act forming the said Solicitor’s fee of N500,000.00 made as a head of claim by the cross-appellant is obviously not cumulative to the tort of detinue committed by the cross respondent. It is outside it. 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