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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><u><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION</span></u><span style="font-size:12.5pt;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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sam Eneonwuta, with P. A. Atuchukwu, AOB Ibekwe & <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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">N. R. Okeleke 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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Emmanuel Nwife 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"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGMENT</span></u><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">1. Introduction & Claims<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This matter was transferred from the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to this Court and by his <i>General Form of Complaint </i>dated 23/9/14, the Claimant sought the following reliefs against the Defendant - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. A Declaration that the Claimant is still in the employment of the Defendant until lawfully disengaged in accordance with Defendant’s staff condition of service. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. An order of Declaration that the letter dated 8<sup>th</sup> of March, 2005 from the Defendant terminating the Claimant’s employment as a staff of the Defendant is null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. An order of Declaration that the Claimant committed no gross misconduct or any other misbehavior to warrant or justify her purported termination under the conditions of service of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. A Declaration directing the Defendant to pay all the Claimant’s emoluments from March, 2005 until she is lawfully disengaged from the Defendant’s employ in accordance with the Defendant’s staff condition of service.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.95pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">PARTICULARS OF SPECIAL 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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">5. Special Damages and general damages.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">i. Basic Salary between March, 2005 and up to judgment date.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ii. Transport allowances between March, 2005 and up to judgment date. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">iii. Housing Allowances between March, 2005 and up to judgment date. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">iv. Bonuses which include Entertainment, Medical, Education, Domestic and furniture e.t.c allowances for the period between March, 2005 and up to judgment date.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">6. General damages of =N=1,000,000 (One Million Naira). <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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">7. The sum of =N=500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) legal<i> </i>cost. <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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">8. The cost of 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:12.5pt;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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant entered into its defence and filed its amended statement of defence on 31/5/16 and in accordance with the rules of this Honourable Court, parties frontloaded their adjusted witness statement on oath and other relevant processes. <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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Case of the Claimant<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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Trial in this suit started on 16/6/15 when the Claimant opened her case and testified as CW1. Claimant adopted her written statement on oath dated 23/9/09 as her evidence in chief and tendered 9 documents as exhibits. The documents were admitted and marked as <i>Exh. C1-Exh. C9. </i>The crux of the case of the Claimant is that the Defendant did not comply with the principles of natural justice respecting the termination of her appointment in that the letter of termination did not disclose any charges against her or provide notice of pending case against her; that she did not commit any offence that warrants termination of her employment; that the Defendant did not comply with its staff conditions of service together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that the purported termination was a ploy by Defendant to maltreat the Claimant. Under cross examination the witness testified that she is in Court she felt unjustly treated by the Defendant; that she knows the court will do justice if she tells the truth; that she remembers the content of his petition to Defendant; that the terms and condition of her employment were contained in the letter of employment are accepted by her; that she sought for pardon in her petition to the Defendant; that the use of pardon in her petition was not an admission of guilt; that it was simply meant that the Defendant should review her case; that before her employment was terminated she was Principal Marketing Executive of Defendant; that her schedule included processing Certificate of Occupancy and carrying out valuation for the Defendant; that she responded to Query issued to her within time; that at the moment she is not employed though she has sought employment elsewhere; that she was not afforded opportunity to defend herself; that she was denied right to testify and call witnesses and that she has no pecuniary interest in what happened.<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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. Case of the Defendant<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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant opened its case on 1/6/16 and called one Mrs. Bola Atape as its witness. The witness adopted her witness deposition dated 31/5/16 as her evidence in chief and tendered 9 documents as exhibits. The documents were admitted and marked as <i>Exh. D1-Exh.D9. </i>The case for the Defendant is that the Claimant its former employee was issued a Query on 4/6/03 regarding certain incident which she refused to respond; that she was issued another on 8/12/04 in which she admitted to acting under pressure in respect of the subject of the query and begged for pardon; that a Committee was set up to review the case of the Claimant; that the Committee recommended her to be dismissed because it viewed her conduct as a gross act of dishonesty and that the supervising Ministry of the Defendant approved the termination of the appointment of the Claimant. Under cross examination, the witness stated that she joined Defendant on 18/11/04; that the incident in this case happened before she joined Defendant; that Defendant has <i>Federal Housing Authority Condition of Service</i> and it is relevant in this case; that all that she stated in this case are based on information she found in the file of the Claimant; that the document dated 5/6/03 was the Claimants response to Query dated 4/6/03 Exhibit D4; that she does not know if the Claimant was invited to the Panel set up; that in matter of discipline both Senior and Junior go through the same procedure and that a senior staff is disciplined by the Board.<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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. Submissions on Behalf of the Defendant</span></b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At the close of hearing, learned Counsel on either side filed their written addresses as directed by the Court. The final written address of the Defendant was dated 19/9/16 and filed 22/9/16. On behalf of the Defendant the following issues were set down for determination - <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:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. Whether the Defendant did not comply with the terms of her contract with the Claimant in the termination of the Claimant’s employment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether or not the Claimant was given fair hearing by the Defendant before the termination of employment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. Whether or not the Defendant was bound to state the reason(s) for the termination of the Claimant’s employment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. Whether or not this Honourable Court can base its decision on a document neither frontloaded nor tendered in evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 1, learned Counsel submitted that the terms and conditions of employment of the parties are contained in <i>Exh. C1 & Exh. C2 </i>which were the letters of appointment of the Claimant; that by paragraph 2D of Exh. C1 the appointment of the Claimant is terminable by the giving of a month notice or one month salary in lieu of notice and that by <i>Exh. D8, </i>the letter of termination of employment, the Defendant gave the Claimant a month's salary in lieu of notice of termination. Counsel submitted that the Defendant has thereby complied with the terms and conditions of employment citing <i>Imonikhe v. Unity Bank Plc (2013)34 NLLR (Pt. 101) 539. </i>Counsel urged the Court to resolve this issue in favour of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 2, learned Counsel submitted that the Claimant was accorded fair hearing before her appointment was terminated. Counsel referred to the Queries issued to the Claimant (<i>Exh. D3 & Exh. D4)</i> as well as her response to them (<i>Exh</i>. C8); that although the Claimant pleaded for pardon because she did what she did due to pressure from client, the right to fair hearing only means an opportunity to be heard rather than that the body or person before whom such representation is made is duty bound to accept the representation citing <i>Olagoke v. Ecobank Nigeria Limited (2013)35 NLLR (Pt. 101) 679. </i>Counsel submitted that indeed the Defendant was lenient with the Claimant since her conduct could have earned her dismissal instead of mere termination. Counsel urged the Court to resolve this issue in favour of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 3, learned Counsel submitted that the Defendant is not bound to state the reason for terminating the employment of the Claimant; that all that the Defendant had to do to validly terminate the appointment of the Claimant was to either give a month notice or pay a month salary in lieu of notice and that the Defendant in the instant case gave a month salary in lieu of notice citing <i>Spring Bank Plc v. Babatunde (2013)33 NLLR (Pt. 97) 524. </i>Counsel prayed the Court to hold that the Defendant is not duty bound to state the reasons for terminating the employment of the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 4, learned Counsel submitted the Court cannot base its decision on document neither frontloaded nor tendered in evidence; that although the Claimant referred to staff conditions of service of the Defendant, the said staff conditions of service was not neither frontloaded nor tendered in evidence. Citing <i>Oluwatosin v. Pharmacy Gas Limited & Anor. (2013)34 NLLR (Pt. 99) 333.</i> Learned Counsel finally urged the Court to resolve all the issues in favour of the Defendant and dismiss the case of the Claimant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">5. Submissions on Behalf of the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The final written address of the Claimant was dated and filed on 20/10/16 in which learned Counsel set down the following issues for determination - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. Whether a contract of service with statutory flavour (as in the present case) can be terminated in a way otherwise than by strict adherence to the procedure laid down in such statute/regulation?. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether the termination of the Claimant’s appointment as contained in Exhibit D8 complied with the Defendant’s Condition of Service that deals with discipline of senior staff from salary grade level 08 to 18?.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">3. Whether the Defendant properly observed the rules of fair hearing and natural justice before proceeding to terminate the claimant’s appointment and if not, what is its legal effect?.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4. Whether or not this Honourable Court can base its decision on a document neither frontloaded nor tendered in evidence?.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel in arguing both issues 1 & 4 together submitted that indeed the document titled <i>Federal Housing Authority Condition of Service </i>was put in issue in <i>Exh. C5;</i> that same was pleaded; that only the Board of the Defendant could exercise the power to discipline the Claimant. According to learned Counsel, the employment of the Claimant was protected by a statute and that non-compliance with statutory provisions rendered the termination of the Claimant's appointment ultra vires and void, citing <i>Olatunbosun v. NISER Council (1988)3 NWLR (Pt. 80) 25 & Adeniyi v. Governing Council of Yaba Tech. (1993)6 NWLR (Pt. 300) 426. </i>Learned Counsel urged the Court to hold that the Defendant did not comply with statutory provisions in terminating the employment of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel also argued issues 2 and 3 together. Counsel argued that the Defendant did not refer the matter of the Claimant to its Board, did not obtain at all or as it should the approval as it claimed contained in <i>Exh. D7 </i>as a basis for terminating the Claimant's appointment and that the termination of the Claimant's employment as contained in <i>Exh. D8 </i>did not comply with the Defendant's Condition of Service that deals with discipline of senior staff from salary grade level 8 to 18. Counsel cited <i>Federal University of Technology, Akure v. Osemenam (2011)31 WRN 148. </i>Counsel submitted further that the Defendant failed to comply with the rules of natural justice in taking the disciplinary action against the Claimant and that renders the action a nullity. Counsel prayed the Court to enter Judgment in favor of the Claimant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">6. Decision<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I read all the processes filed by learned Counsel on either side. I listened to the testimonies of the witnesses called at trial both in chief and under cross examination as well as the oral submissions of both learned Counsel. I watched their demeanor as well. In addition, I carefully evaluated all the exhibits tendered and admitted in this case by either side. Having done all this, I narrow the issue for the just determination down to 2 as follows-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">1. Whether the Defendant properly terminated the employment of the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">2. Whether the Claimant has proved any or all of her claims to be entitled to a grant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The bottom line of this case is whether the appointment of the Claimant was properly terminated. The law remains trite in an action for wrongful termination of employment, the Claimant is under an obligation to place before the Court his contract of employment which is the bedrock of the relationship between the parties. See <i>WAEC & Ors. v Ikang (2011) LPELR-5098 (CA).</i>The Claimant is bound to lead credible and admissible evidence respecting the terms and conditions of her employment with the Defendant and to further show how the terms and conditions were not complied with. See <i>Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti & Ors. v. Omidiora Kolawole (2011) LPELR-4149 (CA). </i> Did the Defendant in the instant case terminate the employment properly and in compliance with the existing employment contractual relationship between the parties? In order to determine this issue, it is pertinent to examine the contract between the Claimant and the Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Exh. C1</span></i><span style="font-size:12.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> is the <i>Offer of Appointment </i>letter issued to the Claimant. paragraph 2 contains the conditions of the offer and in particular sub paragraph (d) of paragraph 2 states -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> ''Your appointment can be terminated by giving a month's notice or one month's salary in lieu thereof or vice-versa''.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Even <i>Exh. C2 </i>yet another <i>Offer of Appointment </i>dated 27/9/200 merely indicated that ''... the terms and conditions attached to this offer are the same and continuous with your appointment....'' I thus find and hold that the conditions contained in <i>Exh. C1 </i>and reiterated in <i>Exh. C2 </i>are the binding terms and conditions of employment between the parties in this case. Now the Defendant in terminating the appointment of the Claimant issued her with <i>Exh. C3. </i>By paragraph 2 of that exhibit, the Claimant given a cheque in the sum of =N=27,006.01k being one month's salary in lieu of notice. Claimant did not plead or argue at trial that she was not so paid or that any of the contents of <i>Exh. C3 </i>not complied with by the Defendant. The Defendant had done all that is expected of it respecting the exercise of power. The available evidence led before me leads to the holding that the Defendant properly terminated the appointment of the Claimant based on the terms and conditions of the employment. I so hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The second issue is whether or not the Claimant has proved her case to be entitled to the reliefs sought. The determination of this issue is dependent on the resolution of issue 1. Thus, having held that the termination of the appointment of the Claimant by the Defendant was proper, the need to consider the second issue has become otiose. There is no way the Claimant could be entitled to a grant of any of the reliefs sought since the termination of her appointment was proper.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before I draw a curtain on this Judgment, I am constrained to comment on some of the argument and submissions of learned Counsel to the Claimant. Learned Counsel had argued that the employment of the Claimant was one with statutory flavor. Counsel referred to <i>Exh. C5 </i> as supporting his position that the employment of the Claimant was regulated by <i>Federal Housing Authority Condition of Service. </i>It is critical to note that <i>Exh. C5 </i>was a letter written on behalf of the Claimant by his Solicitor - Sam Eneowuta Esq. Now on page 2 of that exhibit, learned Counsel had stated thus -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> ''That by virtue of chapter 8 particularly at page 25 of FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY CONDITION OF SERVICE that deals with discipline of senior staff <i>of which Our Client is one </i>provides that the Board of the Authority <i>only </i>shall have the power to terminate the appointment of a Senior Officer from grade level 08 to 18''.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel had submitted that he indeed pleaded the said <i>Federal Housing Authority Condition of Service </i>and likened <i>Exh. C5 </i>to support that assertion. That is certainly far from the truth. No such document was frontloaded. None was tendered. Unfortunately, learned Counsel likened <i>Exh. C5 </i>in which he merely quoted part of Chapter 8 on page 25 of the <i>Federal Housing Authority Condition of Service </i>to be the same. The method adopted by the learned Counsel is certainly both inappropriate and unknown to law. Rather than quoting a part of the document, learned Counsel ought to have produced and tendered the said document in evidence. Therefore for the learned Counsel to claim to have put the document in evidence simply by quoting a portion of it is not an acceptable practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, for the avoidance of doubt and for all the reasons as stated in this Judgment, the case of the Claimant is dismissed for lack of proof by cogent and credible evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I make no order as to cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Judgment is entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" align="center" style="margin-left:0in; mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">____________________<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Justice J. D. Peters<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Presiding Judge<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>