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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;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Adetola Olorunfemi (Mrs.) with O.A Akinsanya & Ajomale Taiwo for the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Richar Kelani 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" 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"">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p></span></u></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"">The Claimant, by her <i>General Form of Complaint </i>dated 30/1/15 approached this Court seeking 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. The payment of the sum of =N=3,201,829.30 being the Claimant's severance benefit.<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. Interest on the on the sum of =N=3,201,829.30 at 3% interest per annum from December 2011 until judgment is entered in this suit as stated by the <i>National Joint Industrial Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry in Nigeria </i>which is binding on both parties.<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. The payment of =N=501,247.20 to Stambic IBTC Pension Fund being the difference in the pension fund payable by the Defendant to 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"">4. Interest on the sum of =N=501,247.20 at the current bank rate of 22% per annum from May 2010 until judgment is entered in this suit.<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"">5. The payment of the sum of =N=500,000.00 to the Claimant being the cost of this action.<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"">6. Payment to the Claimant, interest on the entire judgment debt at the rate of 22% per annum from the time of Judgment until the entire judgment is liquidated.<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="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant accompanied her <i>Form 1 </i>with all the requisite frontloaded processes as mandated by the Rules of this Court. On 27/3/15, one Mr. Richard Kelani entered an appearance for the Defendant. Learned Counsel did not file any statement of defence. Indeed learned Counsel only appeared in this case on 30/11/15.<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""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="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="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The hearing of this case commenced on 14/9/15 when the Claimant testified as <i>CW1. </i>Claimant adopted her written statement on oath dated 30/1/15 as her evidence in chief and tendered 11 documents as exhibits. the documents were admitted as exhibits and marked as <i>Exh. MFA1-Exh. MFA11 </i>respectively. The case for the Claimant is that she worked with the Defendant for a period of 15 years and 4 months before she tendered her letter of resignation of appointment on14/3/12; that same was accepted on 19/3/12; that her total severance benefits as calculated by the Defendant in the sum of =N=4.066,532.83 was communicated to her by the Defendant via a letter dated 30/4/12; that she made several efforts to collect same from the Defendant without success and that she eventually had to instruct her Solicitors to write to the Defendant accordingly. Under cross examination, witness testified that her Counsel charged her =N=500,000.00 for this case and that she has the evidence of same in her bag.<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"">3. Submissions on Behalf of the Claimant<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"">At the close of trial and pursuant to the directive of the Court, the Claimant filed her final written address. It was dated and filed on 29/2/16. In it, learned Counsel set down a lone issue as follows down for determination -<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""> Whether the Claimant is entitled to the claims as stated in her <i>General Form of</i> <i>Complaint</i>.<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"">Arguing this lone issue, learned Counsel submitted that the Claimant is entitled to all her claims; that the Defendant has not denied the fact that the Claimant used to be its former employee; the fact that it is willingly withholding the Claimant's severance benefits and pension entitlement citing <i>Gov. of Zamfara v. Gyalange (2013)8 NWLR (Pt. 1357) 462 at 482. </i>Counsel added that the Defendant having refused to file a defence it shows that it has no defence to suit of the Claimant and the Court is obliged and bound to accept the evidence led by the Claimant as unchallenged and act on same citing <i>Okpoko Commercial Bank Limited v. Igwe (2013)15 NWLR (Pt. 1376) 167 at 181, Joseph Ifeta v. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (2006)8 NWLR (Pt. 983) 585. </i>Learned Counsel submitted that the Defendant has not in any way denied the claims of the Claimant and that going by the evidence led by the Claimant, Counsel urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought by the Claimant, citing <i>Newsbreed Organisation Limited v. Erhomosele (2006)5 NWLR (Pt. 974) 499 at 545. </i>Counsel drew attention of the Court to <i>Exh. MFA8 </i>where Defendant stated the entitlement of the Claimant to be =N=3,340,964.07 and the pension remittances to be =N=501,247.20 all promised to be paid over 60 monthly installments and that after service of that exhibit the Defendant made a deposit of the sum of =N=46,378.26 on 3 different occasions as evidenced by <i>Exh. MFA10 </i>and the outstanding sum is the sum of =N=3,201,829.30. Finally, learned Counsel urged the Court to grant all the prayers of the Claimant as per the claims sought including claims for interest and cost of action. Learned Counsel to the Defendant did not file any written address.<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"">4. Decision<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"">I read and understood all the processes filed by the learned Counsel to the Claimant. I listened attentively to the oral testimonies and watched the demeanor of the lone witness called at trial. I, in addition, carefully evaluated all the exhibits tendered and admitted at trial. Having done all this, I set down this lone issue for the just determination of this case thus -<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""> Whether the Claimant has proved her case to be entitled to the reliefs sought or any of them.<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"">The law is trite and remains the same that in a civil suit, the burden of proof is always on the Claimant in order to be entitled to any of the reliefs<b> sought</b>. This burden may however be dispensed with where there is an admission of the relevant facts of the case by the Def<b>endant</b>. Such an admission must however be clear and unambi<b>guous</b>. It is also the position of the law where evidence is led by a party on a material fact and that evidence is not denied, challenged or in any way controverted by the party who ought to then the Court is bound to act on that evidence as a reflection of the correct <b>position</b>.<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"">The first relief sought by the Claimant is for the payment of the sum of =N=3,201,829.30 being her severance benefit from the Defendant. In <i>Exh. MFA8, </i>the Defendant had admitted the final entitlement of the Claimant to be the sum of =N=3,340,964.07. <i>Exh. MFA10 </i>showed that the Defendant paid =N=46,378.26 three times to the account of the Claimant. This leaves the outstanding balance to be =N=3,201,829.30 to be paid to the Claimant. Claimant also acknowledged the said sum paid to her account. I have stated earlier that the evidence led by the Claimant was not in any way challenged. No doubt this Court is bound to act on same as the correct state of affairs between the parties. The Defendant has an opportunity to challenge the evidence led against it but chose rather not to. The Defendant must therefore be held bound by the consequences of its inaction. See <i>Mabamije v. Oto (2016) LPELR (SC).</i> The Defendant is here directed and ordered to pay to the Claimant the sum of =N=3,201,829.30.<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"">The second relief sought is for payment of interest on the sum of =N=3,201,829.30 at 3% interest per annum from December 2011 until judgment is entered in this suit as stated by the <i>National Joint Industrial Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry in Nigeria </i>which is binding on both parties. I note that throughout of this trial, the Claimant did not exhibit the said agreement between the parties respecting the payment of interest and the amount of interest payable. It is certainly for the Claimant to lead credible evidence in proof of her claim to interest. I therefore direct the Defendant to pay the sum of =N=501,247.20 over to Stambic IBTC being pension Managers of the Claimant. I find no evidence led respecting the claim for 22% interest per annum on the said sum. Same is applicable to the claim for 22% interest per annum on the entire judgment debt from the time Judgment is entered until final liquidation. The claim for interest is therefore refused and dismissed.<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"">The 3rd relief is for the payment of =N=501,247.20 to Stambic IBTC Pension Fund being the difference in the pension fund payable by the Defendant to the Claimant. In <i>Exh. MFA8, </i>the Defendant acknowledged the entitlement of the Claimant to the stated pension remittance. The Defendant also in that exhibit directed the Claimant to furnish with her pension details. Did the Claimant comply with the directive of <i>Exh. MFA8 </i>respecting her pension details to the Account Department of the Defendant? Did the Claimant contact her Pension Fund Administrator to find out whether or not the outstanding remittances have been made? The Claimant did not lead evidence respecting any of these issues. Notwithstanding this, it is apparent that the Defendant evinced an intention to make the remittances subject to the Claimant providing the requisite details. I therefore direct the Defendant to pay the sum of =N=501,247.20 over to Stambic IBTC being pension Managers of the Claimant. I find no evidence led respecting the claim for 22% interest per annum on the said sum. Same is applicable to the claim for 22% interest per annum on the entire judgment debt from the time Judgment is entered until final liquidation. The claim for interest is therefore refused and dismissed.<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"">It is the position of the law that cost ordinarily follows event. The Rules of this Court allows award of cost to a successful party. I thus award the sum of =N=100,000.00 as cost of this proceedings to be paid by the Defendant to 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"">Finally, for the avoidance of doubt and for all the reasons as contained in this Judgment, <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"">1. The Defendant is here directed and ordered to pay to the Claimant the sum of =N=3,201,829.30 being the balance of the Claimant's outstanding severance entitlement payable by the Defendant.<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. I direct the Defendant to pay the sum of =N=501,247.20 over to Stambic IBTC being pension remittances of the Claimant due from the Defendant.<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"">3. I find no evidence led respecting the claim for 22% interest per annum on the said sum. Same is applicable to the claim for 22% interest per annum on the entire judgment debt from the time Judgment is entered until final liquidation. The claim for interest is therefore refused and dismissed.<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"">4. I award the sum of =N=100,000.00 as cost of this proceedings to be paid by the Defendant to the Claimant.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.5pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">All the terms of this Judgment shall be complied with within 30 days from today.<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"">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="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>