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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Representation</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">M.I. Duru holding brief of E. O. Uwa for the Claimant <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Emeka Nwagwu with E. C. Onwumere, A.F. Okpara and C.C. Uchechukwu (Mrs.) for the Defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">JUDGMENT</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">On the 17<sup>th</sup> day of April 2013, the Claimant commenced this suit with a complaint, in which he sought the following reliefs:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">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 lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">A Declaration that the suspension of the Claimant indefinitely from office as a vulcanizer of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant by a letter dated 29<sup>th</sup> day of January 2013 signed by the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant under the designation peoples manager is irregular, improper, illegal, wrongful and ultra vires the powers of the defendants and so null, void and of no effect whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">2.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">N</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">5 Million naira being damages for wrongfully suspending the Claimant indefinitely from duty as vulcanizer of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">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 lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">An injunction restraining the Defendants by themselves, their servants, agents and subordinates from interfering with the Claimant’s employment, withholding his salaries and allowances or preventing him from performing his legitimate duties in accordance with the terms of his employment as entrenched in the conditions of service.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">An order of court compelling the Defendants to continue to pay the Claimant his monthly salary, allowances and other emoluments from January 2013 until this case is determined.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">The complaint was filed alongside pleadings and other processes which were served on the Defendants. The Defendants on 26<sup>th</sup> November 2013 entered appearance and filed a joint Statement of Defence, the Defendant’s witness written statement on oath, List of witness and documents. Hearing commenced on 3<sup>rd</sup> April 2014. The Claimant testified for himself as CW1. The Defendant called two witnesses. John Onwu the Chief Security Officer of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant testified as DW1 while Lady Nkechi Nwogu the Acting Peoples Manager testified as DW2. Hearing ended on 22<sup>nd</sup> October 2015 and parties were ordered to file their Final Written Addresses in accordance with the Rules of Court. Counsels subsequently regularised their respective Final Addresses, which were duly adopted on 12<sup>th</sup> July, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">In the Defendants’ final written address filed on the 9<sup>th</sup> day of November 2015, counsel distilled three 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"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">a.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Whether the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant was entitled to suspend the Claimant pursuant to the terms and conditions of service Section 6.1. Discipline.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">b.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Whether the Claimant explored the grievance procedure as stipulated in Section 6.5 of the said terms and conditions of service of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant Company.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">c.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">If the main/substantive relief (1) of Claimant fails as contained in issue (a) above, whether all other ancillary reliefs also fail with it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">With regard to issue one, counsel submitted that the Claimant was bound and unconditionally accepted the terms and conditions of service applicable in the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendants’ company. Again, counsel argued that by virtue of Section 17(1) of the Labour Act, an employer is not obliged to pay an employee suspended from work as punishment. Counsel referred to the case of <b>AGHWE vs. ZAPATA MARINE SERVICE LTD (1976) 6 ECSLR 268</b> where it was held that <i>if an employer is able to establish a practice of suspending employees without pay, it would be binding on all employees in the establishment even if a particular employee is ignorant of it.</i> Further, counsel argued that though it was not a prerequisite to give a pre-suspension hearing where it is necessary to suspend an employee in order to facilitate investigation into alleged misconduct, yet the Claimant was afforded same. Counsel urged the court to resolve this issue in favour of the Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Counsel argued issues two and three together. Counsel submitted that it is common ground in evidence at trial that the Claimant never explored the grievance procedure as outlined in the Condition of Service. It is counsel’s contention that the Claimant refused to seek any form of hearing within the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, consequently the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant was entitled to suspend the Claimant. Counsel submitted that having established that the purported suspension of the Claimant was regular, proper and within the powers of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, the reliefs of the Claimants fail. More so, the Claimant according to counsel, failed to discharge the burden of proof in his case by adducing evidence in support of his reliefs. See Sections 133(1) and 134 of the Evidence Act and the cases of <b>OYOVBIARE vs. OMOMURHONU (2001) FWLR (Pt. 68) 1129</b> and <b>AGALA vs. EGWERE (2010) All FWLR (Pt. 532) 1609</b>. Counsel urged the court to dismiss this suit as frivolous, premature and an abuse of court process.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In the Claimant’s final address filed on 2<sup>nd</sup> December 2015, counsel identified two issues for determination, thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">1.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Whether the Defendants could exercise disciplinary measure over the Claimant in this matter without a pronouncement of guilt by a competent court of law.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">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><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to judgment.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Regarding the first issue, counsel argued that once a person is accused of a criminal offence, he must be tried in a court of law to ensure a fair trial. See the cases of:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">a.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">OSAGIE vs. NNB PLC (2005) 3 NWLR (Pt. 913) 513<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height: normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">b.<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 lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE vs. LAOYE (1989) 2 NWLR (Pt. 106) 552 at 679</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Counsel argued that that in the instant case, the Defendants punished the Claimant by suspending him upon the allegation of a stolen tyre, which was not proved in a court of law. It is counsel’s further argument that the disciplinary actions taken by the Defendants amounted to a pronouncement of guilt, which in itself is a usurpation of the judicial powers of the court. Therefore, the Defendants’ actions are void. Furthermore, counsel argued that the reliance of the Defendants on the Conditions of service cannot supersede the provisions of the Constitution. Also, counsel submitted that the authorities cited by Counsel are not relevant to the issue under consideration and the court was urged to discountenance same.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">With respect to issue two, counsel contended that from the Defendants’ pleadings and evidence, it is clear that the Claimant’s indefinite suspension was hinged on the investigation of the alleged stolen tyre, which was not proved in court. Thus, the Defendants’ actions are null and void. Counsel urged the court to apply the law and enter judgment in the Claimant’s favour.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">The Defendants filed a Reply on Points of Law on 15<sup>th</sup> February 2016, wherein Counsel argued that the Claimant misconceived the first issue of the Defendants’ final address. It is counsel’s submission that Section 6(1) of the DISCIPLINE at pages 28-29 of Exhibit ABC3 provides that the punishment for the alleged offence of tyre stealing is a dismissal at first occurrence. A punishment harsher than the one meted out to the Claimant. Again, counsel argued that the Claimant subscribed to Exhibit ABC 3, which was made in the intendment of the Constitution and the Labour Act. Counsel contended that the case of <b>OSAGIE vs. NNB PLC (2005) 3 NWLR (Pt. 913) 513</b> cited by the Claimant is in support of the Defendants, particularly at pages 534-5 paragraphs A-C where it was held as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">“True enough, as the applicant rightly submitted, what the law said is that generally where the dismissal of an employee is based on allegation of crime, that allegation must first be, before the dismissal can stand. <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 lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Consequently, this is to give the employee adequate opportunity to explain himself before a tribunal vested with criminal jurisdiction before his employer can take any disciplinary action against him.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">From the foregoing argument, counsel urged the court again to dismiss this suit as it is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of court process.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in; line-height:normal"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Court’s decision<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I shall adopt only the 2<sup>nd</sup> issue formulated by the Claimant’s counsel in his final written address in deciding this case. The issue is whether the Claimant has proved his case to be entitled to judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The facts of the Claimant’s case are that the Claimant is a Vulcanizer and was employed by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant on 10<sup>th</sup> August 2011. Upon his employment, he was given a copy of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s condition of service. His employment was confirmed on 20<sup>th</sup> February 2012. At about 7 pm on 19<sup>th</sup> January 2013, while on his way to the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s premises, he met and greeted the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant but on getting to the gate of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant told the security man called Peter that he saw the Claimant putting a tyre in a keke. The 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant later told the security man that it was one Udoka who saw the Claimant put a tyre in Keke. When the said Udoka was called for confirmation, he denied giving such information to the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant. On 21<sup>st</sup> August 2013, the Chief Security Officer of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant invited the Claimant and the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant to explain what happened and they both did. Thereafter, the Claimant was not confronted with any allegation or served any query or invited by any security agency. He went about his work until the Defendants suspended him from work indefinitely on 29<sup>th</sup> January 2013. On receiving the letter of suspension, his solicitor wrote to the Defendants on his instruction. The Claimant stated that his suspension by the Defendants was wrong in that he never did anything, there was no case of stealing established against him and there was no report of break-in of the store. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The Defendant’s first witness is John Onwu, the CSO of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant company. He said one Ukwuoma Udokaogu saw the Claimant being aided by a keke operator trying to remove a tyre belonging to the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. The keke operator escaped with the tyre when a fight ensued between the Claimant and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant. After the incidence, the Claimant and the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant appeared in his office and narrated what happened to him and he advised them to await memo from the Human Resources and investigation into the incidence. The Claimant refused to respond to the memo issued by the Human Resources Manager, the 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant. An investigation was conducted into the matter wherein the allegation was established against the Claimant. The Defendants then reported the matter to the police. The Claimant was given fair hearing before the suspension and he is not entitled to the reliefs he sought. DW2, Lady Nkechi Nwogu, who said she is the acting people’s manager of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, told the court that after the incidence, the CSO advised the Human Resources department of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant to issue memo to those involved. The 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendant accordingly issued a written memo to the Claimant. The CSO interviewed the Claimant but the Claimant refused to respond in writing to the memo and ignored all opportunities given to him. The allegation was established against the Claimant in an investigation conducted into the matter. The Defendants reported the matter to the police. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">From the case presented by the Claimant, his complaint in this case is about the indefinite suspension from the employment of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. It was in this regard that the Claimant, in his main claim, is seeking this court to declare </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> that his indefinite suspension by a letter dated 29<sup>th</sup> day of January 2013 is irregular, improper, illegal, wrongful and ultra vires the powers of the defendants and so null, void and of no effect whatsoever. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Before I go about considering the merit of the claim, it is necessary that the content of the suspension letter in issue be examined. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">suspension letter is in evidence as Exhibit ABC4. It reads- <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></u></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">“January 29, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Egwu Emmanuel,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Staff No. 3043,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Vulcanizer,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">ABC Transport PLC,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Head Office,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Owerri.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Dear Sir,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><b><i><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">INDEFINITE SUSPENSION<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We write to inform you of your indefinite suspension from work without pay with effect from 29<sup>th</sup> January 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Your suspension is informed by your involvement in the missing tyre at Owerri workshop and shall remain in force pending the report of investigation of same. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">You are therefore to hand over all property of the company in your possession to the workshop manager while you are to stay away from the premises of the company in your own interest until further notice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Yours faithfully,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">For: ABC TRANSPORT PLC<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">signed:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height: normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">EZE EVARISTUS<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">PEOPLE MANAGER”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">From the content of the suspension letter, the Claimant was suspended indefinitely without pay by the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant pending investigation into the allegation of missing tyre at the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s Owerri workshop involving the Claimant. Now, the Claimant is claiming in his relief 1 that his suspension in Exhibit ABC4 is <i>“irregular, improper, illegal, wrongful, ultra vires the powers of the defendants, null, void and of no effect”.</i> He wants this court to so declare. Where an employee seeks a declaration that his suspension is wrongful or null and void, the consideration of the claim is based on the terms of the employment. In other words, whether the claim will succeed or fail depends largely on the terms and conditions of the employment. Therefore, the employee must necessarily and importantly plead and prove the terms of the contract of employment and also plead and prove manner the terms and conditions of the contract were breached by the employer. See <b>UZONDU vs. U.B.N PLC (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 443) 1389; W.A.E.C vs. OSHIONEBO (2007) All FWLR (Pt. 370) 1501 at 1512</b>.<b> </b>It is thus the law that the terms of the contract of service are the foundation of any case where the issues of unlawful or wrongful termination, dismissal or suspension from employment are premised. See <b>PETROLEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE vs. MATTHEW (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 623) 1949 at 1967. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In this case where the Claimant has alleged and sought this court to declare that his indefinite suspension from the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s employment is unlawful, null and void, the onus is on him to plead the terms and conditions of the employment and then show by cogent evidence how the said terms and conditions were breached or not followed in respect of his suspension. I have scrutinized the pleading and evidence adduced by the Claimant but I find that he has failed to satisfy the burden placed on him by law. The terms of his employment or how the terms were breached in respect of his suspension were not pleaded or adduced in evidence by the Claimant. A look at his case reveals that his entire complaint about the suspension are as contained in paragraphs 13, 14 and 17 of the statement of facts. The averments in these paragraphs state that the Claimant was not confronted with any allegation or served any query or invited by any security agency and also that his suspension by the Defendants was wrong in that he never did anything, there was no case of stealing established against him and there was no report of break-in of the store. The Claimant did not mention anywhere in his pleading or evidence how these complaints amounted to breach of the condition of service. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In paragraph 8 of his statement of fact, the Claimant averred simply that on his employment, the Defendants gave him a document embodying the terms and conditions of service. The Claimant tendered the said document in evidence without giving any evidence of the terms contained in the documents relating to or violated in his suspension. In the circumstance, this court cannot even look at the condition of service, which is Exhibit ABC3. To do that in deciding this case will mean that this court is making a case for the Claimant. I cannot do that. The burden in this case rests on the Claimant; and neither the court nor the Defendant can help the Claimant to establish his case. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In his written address, the Claimant’s counsel argued that the disciplinary action taken against the Claimant amounted to a pronouncement of guilt which itself was a usurpation by the Defendants of the judicial powers of the court. Counsel also contended that failure to arraign the Claimant in court on the allegation of stealing made his suspension null and void. None of these points canvassed by the Claimant’s counsel in his address arose from the Claimant’s case. The submissions of the learned Counsel to the Claimant are not based on any pleaded fact or evidence given by the Claimant. It is the law that the address of counsel cannot take the place of pleading or evidence. Cases are normally decided on pleaded facts and evidence. Thus, no matter how well persuasively presented, address of counsel cannot make up for lack of adequate pleading and evidence to establish pleaded facts. See <b>IBIKUNLE vs. LAWANI (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 398) 359; OKWEJIMINOR vs. GBAKEJI (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 409) 405.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It is the law that where any party seeks a declaratory claim from the court, such a party is duty bound to place sufficient materials by way of pleading and evidence before the court. Where no evidence is led to establish the claims made before a court, such claims will be dismissed for want of evidence. See <b>OYEWOLE vs. KOMOLAFE (2011) All FWLR (Pt. 578) 904 at 931. </b>In this case, the Claimant failed woefully to proffer any cogent ground or basis to support his claim that the suspension is irregular, improper, illegal, wrongful, ultra vires the powers of the Defendants, null and void. In the result, I find that the Claimant has failed to establish his case. His claims fail and the suit is hereby dismissed. No order as to cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Judgment is entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hon. Justice O. Y. Anuwe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MediumGrid21" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Judge</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p>