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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">C. Chuma Ogouejiefor Esq. 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">O.C. Chikezie Esq. with N. Onyia (Miss) 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant on 11<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2014 took out a Complaint against the Defendant in this case. In her Statement of Facts, paragraph 17 thereof, she prays the Court for the following reliefs:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> 17. Wherefore the Claimant claims against the defendant as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(A)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A Declaration of court that the defendant’s termination of the Claimant’s contract of employment on 10/6/2013 for stealing diesel fund, property of the defendant by the same defendant even as the police did not first investigate the allegation nor the court convict the Claimant for the offence was unlawful, illegal and a nullity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(B)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Damages amounting to N32,261,402.00 for the defendant’s wrongful termination of the appointment and to put the Claimant in the position she would have found herself had she worked her full contract term that ought to have elapsed upon her turning 55 years old in the year of our Lord 2018.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Complaint is accompanied with Statement of Claim, Statement on oath of Witness, list of witnesses, list of documents and copies of the documents to be relied upon at trial. <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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upon being served with the processes of the Claimant the defendant entered appearance and filed its Statement of Defence duly regularized by order of court on 24<sup>th</sup> day of June, 2014. Thereafter the Claimant filed a reply with leave of court granted on 22<sup>nd</sup> October, 2014.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The case then proceeded to hearing wherein the Claimant testified as CW1 and tendered Exhibits C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6. CW1 was then cross-examined by the learned counsel for the Defendant. The Defendant then called its witness, Mr Ikedinachukwu Ugochukwu Chinedu, who testified as DW1. He was cross examined by the learned counsel for the Claimant. Upon the conclusion of trial the parties filed their respective final written addresses. The learned defendant’s counsel filed his own address first and it is dated and filed on the 30<sup>th</sup> March 2016 and 31<sup>st</sup> of March, 2016 respectively. The Claimant’s counsel then filed his own final written address dated 11<sup>th</sup> April, 2016 on the 12<sup>th</sup> day of April, 2016. The learned defendant’s counsel filed a reply on points of law dated 20<sup>th</sup> April, 2016 on the same date. Learned counsel to the parties adopted their respective written addresses on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of December, 2016.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In his final written address the learned Defendant’s counsel formulated and argued the following issues 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">a)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">What was the reason for the claimant’s dismissal from the services of the defendant?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">b)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant was given ample opportunity to defend herself of the allegation against her?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">c)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">What is the justifiable ground in law for an employer to dismiss her employee?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">d)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether in the circumstance of this case, the claimant has proved her case to entitle her to the reliefs in paragraph 17 of her statement of facts or any relief whatsoever?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing the first issue for determination learned counsel stated that as to the reason for the claimant’s dismissal from ‘the services of the defendant the answer is supplied by Exhibit C2”, the dismissal letter which states the reason as gross-misconduct. That the claimant under cross-examination by the counsel to the defendant stated thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>Question- Why were you dismissed by the bank?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> CW1-Answer-The letter I received said I was dismissed for gross-misconduct.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That in the case on <b><i>Nwobosi vs ACB Ltd (1995) 7 SCNJ p. 92 </i></b>the Supreme Court defined Gross Misconduct as follows:-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal;tab-stops:70.5pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Gross-misconduct has been defined as a conduct that is of grave and weighty character as to undermine the confidence which shall exist between an employer and employer(sic).</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel contended that it is not the requirement of the law that the nature or particulars of the gross misconduct are to be disclosed at the time of the dismissal. In the case <b><i>ACB vs Mbasike (1995) 8 NWLR (Pt. 416) p. 725, </i></b>the Court of Appeal stated that:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">An employer, when he dismisses his employee need not allege any specific act of misconduct on the employee’s part as ground for his dismissal.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The court went further to state:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">That it is sufficient if such ground exists whether or not the employer knew of it at the time of the dismissal.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That in the instant case, the claimant cannot claim to be ignorant of series of issues that led to her eventual dismissal by the bank. That under cross-examination by counsel to the defendant the claimant answered thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>Question-Did the bank confront you with allegation of stealing diesel fund?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">CW1(Answer)-The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund but no amount was stated. It was the procedure for purchasing diesel fund that I explained in my appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That it is worthy to note that the said suspension letter was not tendered in court by the claimant because she knows that the content will work against her. Learned counsel then urged the court to invoke Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act against her because her failure to produce the documents is because if produced will be unfavourable to her. <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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is therefore very clear that the ground for the dismissal of the claimant was in existence to the knowledge of the claimant at the time of her dismissal, and that by the authority of <b><i>ACB Plc vs Mbasike (supra), </i></b>the nature or particulars of it need not be disclosed or proved by the employer. That in the case of <b><i>Corporative Development Bank vs Esien (2001) 4 NWLR (Pt. 704) p. 479</i></b> the Court of Appeal stated thus:-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">It does not lie in the mouth of the employee to dictate to the employer what it should do with an employee whose conduct amounts to gross misconduct. It is entirely up to the employer to treat the matter as it deems fit and proper.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel then submitted that the Claimant was properly dismissed for Gross-misconduct. He then urged the Court to hold that the ground of misconduct upon which the claimant was dismissed does not need to be proved by the defendant bank and that it is sufficient that the ground exists at the time of the dismissal. He then urged the court to dismiss the suit on this ground alone.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing issue 2 as to whether the Claimant was given ample opportunity to defend herself of the allegation against her, the answer, according to the learned counsel, is yes. To him this is supported by the claimant’s answer to question under cross examination by counsel to the defendant thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></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:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question- Did the bank ever confront you with the allegation of stealing diesel fund?<o:p></o:p></span></i></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:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1 (Answer) The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund but no amount was stated. It was the procedure for purchasing diesel that I explained in my appeal.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To learned counsel the above clearly shows that the claimant was given ample opportunity to defend herself of the allegation against her, and that she responded to the allegation explaining the procedure for diesel purchase. Further still under cross examination, she stated thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></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:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question- What did the bank do after receiving your explanation on procedure for buying of fuel?<o:p></o:p></span></i></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:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1(Answer) I was asked to send copies of approvals for purchase of diesel which I did.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel proceeded to submit that part of cross-examination also indicates not only that she was given ample opportunity to present her defence to the allegation against her but that her response was not satisfactory, resulting in her eventual dismissal, as she received dismissal letter shortly after forwarding copies of approval for purchase of diesel to the bank as requested. He therefore urged the Court to hold that in the light of the above submission right to fair hearing was not breached by the bank before dismissing her. He then urged the court to dismiss the suit on this ground.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On issue 3 as to the justifiable ground in law for an employer to dismiss his employee, learned counsel stated that the Court of Appeal in the case of <b><i>Uzondu vs Union Bank Plc (2009) 3 WRN p. 97 at p. 102 Ratio 8, </i></b>held that the justifiable ground for employer to dismiss his employee is:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Where an employee omits to do something or commits an act which is injurious to the business of his employer, and is incompatible with the full discharge of his duties, it is justifiable to dismiss him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He referred to the cases of <b><i>Underwater Engineering Co. Ltd & Anor vs DurushaDubefom (1995) 6 SCNJ 58 </i></b>and <b><i>Osakwe vs Nigerian Paper Mill Ltd (1988) 7 SCNJ 222.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That it is an elementary principle of commercial law of master and servant relationship that one of the major acts of an employee that result in his/her dismissal is an act of Gross-misconduct. Having re-stated his submission that Gross-misconduct does not need to be proved by the defendant bank, counsel argued further that the claimant’s dismissal for gross-misconduct was proper and accordingly the court should dismiss this action on that ground.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing Issue 4 which is whether the claimant, in the circumstances of this case has proved his case as to entitle him to the reliefs in paragraph 17 of his Statement of Facts or any relief at all, learned counsel answered in the negative. That having established in the foregoing paragraphs of the address that the defendant dismissed the claimant for Gross-misconduct, counsel submitted that the dismissal is rightful and justified.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the learned counsel the law is trite that an employee who is rightfully dismissed by his/her employer is not entitled to any financial benefit from his employer. Therefore the claimant is not entitled to any of the reliefs sought. He argued further that it is an elementary principle of law of evidence that he who asserts must prove. In other words, the law places a great burden on the party who alleges to prove. That it is the claimant that alleges wrongful dismissal that has the onus of proving same. She has to show to the satisfaction of the court the terms of her employment and the way and manner those terms were breached by the defendant bank, referring the court to the cases of <b><i>Katto vs CBN (1999) NWLR (607) p. 30 </i></b>and <b><i>Bamgboye vs UNILORIN (1999) 10 NWLR (Pt. 622) p. 290 at 326. </i></b>Counsel further referred to Section 132 of the Evidence Act, 2011 which provides thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The burden of proof in a suit or proceedings lies on that person who would fail if no evidence at all were given on either side.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel continued that in the instant case the claimant has not been able to show that her dismissal was wrongful. That she admitted under cross examination:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(i)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That she was dismissed for Gross-misconduct<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(ii)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That she was confronted with the allegation of stealing diesel fund.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(iii)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That she responded to the allegation against her in writing and forwarded same to the defendant, at their control point.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That consequent upon the above admission by the claimant under cross examination, counsel contends that the claimant has no basis to continue to say that she was wrongfully dismissed by the bank. She has therefore failed to discharge the burden placed on her by section 132 of the Evidence Act, 2011 and the authorities cited above. In the light of this, counsel submitted that the claimant has not been able to prove her dismissal is wrongful and she is not entitled to the reliefs sought by her in paragraph 17 of her statement of facts, or any relief whatsoever. He therefore urged the court to refuse all the reliefs sought.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On his own part the learned Claimant’s counsel formulated and argued the following issue 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the claimant was able to prove her case upon a preponderance of evidence that her employment with the defendant was wrongfully terminated and whether she did also prove her entitlement to the reliefs claimed in paragraph 17 of the Statement of Claim?<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arguing the issue learned counsel stated that the claimant had at paragraph 1 of the statement of claim pleaded as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant was a staff of the defendant for a period of more than 20 years i.e. from 4/12/92 when she got employed by her up to 10/6/2013, while her entry point to the bank was as an “Officer-in-training”, she exited as a Manager-a testimony to her commitment to her duties while her employment lasted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant led evidence in proof of these facts at paragraph 2 of her statement on oath and tendered as Exhibit C1 her letter of appointment with the bank. That Exhibit C(sic) speaks for itself and discloses that the claimant was due for retirement from the bank only at the age of 55 years. That in paragraph 3 of her written statement on oath the claimant had given evidence as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">That because I had also done well at my duty post, my confirmation as substantive staff of the defendant had come without any delay or much ado in December 1993.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel continued that it is also in evidence before the court that because the claimant had discharged her duties meritoriously and without any blemish, that she was rewarded with a cash gift of N465,000=. This she became entitled to by January 2013. That the question then is, for an employee who had served her employer meritoriously for 20 years as at January 2013, what had then gone wrong by June of the same 2013 when she was summarily dismissed from the defendant’s service? That the Claimant had supplied the answers in paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of her written statement on oath.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Continuing counsel stated that she had given evidence that the financial position of the defendant had gotten very precarious and parlous, she was no longer big, strong and reliable. Rather than come out plain with the claimant and own up to the fact that she would not be able to continue paying her and many other employees, she hatched a very disingenuous and sinister devise by which she had alleged that the claimant has stolen funds meant for procurement of diesel-the actual amount allegedly stolen was not stated, there was no report of the incident made to the police nor was the incident ever investigated, the claimant was not incriminated in any offence of stealing, she was not charged, tried or convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction. Through the devise, she threw the claimant out of the bank with ignominy. Counsel stated that evidence on the above facts was led in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the claimant’s statement on oath and what did the defendant say about all these facts made out in her evidence in chief? Counsel submitted that the defendant had nothing to disprove or debunk the evidence.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In his written statement on oath at paragraph 5, the only witness who testified for the defendant i.e Mr. Ikedinachukwu Chinedu Ugochukwu had stated as follows:<b>“That I do not know the claimant on records in this action, but records made available to me in course of my duty reveal that she was the 9<sup>th</sup> Mile branch Manager of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc until June 2013 when she was dismissed”;</b> paragraph 6 <b>“The records made available to me in course of my duty reveal also that she was dismissed for gross misconduct”</b> the witness clearly did not witness or perceive what he was talking about, and beyond what he said he got from his records, knew absolutely nothing about the reason and circumstances which had led to the claimant’s dismissal. That his testimony was hearsay evidence because the so called record that he talked about was not even tendered in evidence before the court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant had tendered in evidence the letter of dismissal by which she had been relieved of her appointment by the defendant, it is exhibit <b>‘C2”</b> in the proceedings and it states as follows:-<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">‘You are hereby dismissed from the Bank’s service with effect from June 10<sup>th</sup> 2013 for gross misconduct” –</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> the ingredients that constitute the <b>“gross misconduct”</b> – were not stated on the face of the said Exhibit C2, but in her evidence before the court, the claimant had at paragraphs 7,8,13,14,15 and 16 given evidence and stated that the defendant had accused her of stealing fund meant for diesel, and that she was never arrested, investigated, tried or convicted for the offence of stealing of diesel.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At paragraph 15 of her statement on Oath, the claimant had stated as follows <b>“that the matter is so serious that I cannot even find employment in the entire banking industry because of the tar of criminality with which the defendant has painted my face and yet the police have not investigated nor the court convicted me for the offence of stealing”.</b>That the defendant did not deny these facts but chose to maintain that the only reason the claimant was dismissed was as result of having engaged in <b>“Gross-misconduct”</b> no more, no less. In other words, for the defendant, it was of no moment stating the facts or ingredients that constitute the <b>“Gross-misconduct”</b> and that it just was enough to merely state the reason as “<b>Gross misconduct”</b> and then that is the end of discussion.The Claimant leaves her service, no gratuity, no pension, and no terminal benefits of any form apart from wearing a badge of dishonor for life of having been dismissed from service by the Bank for <b>“Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel continued further that for counsel the defendant has cited the case of NWOBOSI VS ACB LTD supra and submitted at paragraph 4.03 of his written argument as follows <b>“We contend that it is not the requirement of the law that the nature of or particulars of the Gross misconduct are to be disclosed at the time of the dismissal”.</b>That, the case of NWOBOSI VS ACB LTD is a decision of the apex court, and counsel asked the court’s permission to examine the facts and ratio of that case very critically to determine whether learned counsel for the defendant was right in submitting as he had done that the case was authority for the proposition of law that the particulars of the <b>“Gross misconduct’</b> need not be stated.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That in NWOBOSI VS ACB, the appellant was manager of the Respondent’s Mushin Branch, Lagos. He had been specifically instructed by the Management of the Bank not to grant over drafts or loans to the bank’s customers since the embargo on loans and advances had not been lifted.In fact his attention had been specifically drawn to the Bank’s instructions and Conditions of Service wherein among others, it was stated that such loans and advances were still embargoed. The appellant had defiantly gone on to make loans and advancements amounting to N1,653,479,09= to 32 customers of the bank without any approval or securities. He was directed to recover these monies, issued a query, <u>reported</u> to the police and subsequently arrested by the same police before being finally dismissed. In fact at the point of his dismissal from the bank, the sum of N400,000= had not yet been recovered from the customers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The acts of misconduct engaged in by the Appellant in <b>Nwobosi’s case</b> were clear and were made known to even the Appellant himself, i.e., he had disobeyed the lawful and reasonable order of his employer which was to desist from advancing any loan facility to the bank’s customers at least till the embargo placed on such loan advances had been lifted. Learned counsel then failed to see the relevance of that case to the instant case where in Exhibit <b>“C2”</b> all that was stated as the reason for the claimant’s summary dismissal was <b>“Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The apex court had in that case at page 661 at ratio 2 held:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:3.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height: 107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Willful disobedience to the lawful and reasonable order of the master justifies summary dismissal. Misconduct, inconsistent with the due and faithful discharge by the servant of the duties for which he was engaged, is good cause for his dismissal, but there is no fixed rule of law defining the degree of misconduct which will justify dismissal. In the <u>instant case, the appellant’s conduct was not only a case of willful disobedience of a lawful order but arrogant and contemptuous disobedience of standing directives and guidelines so vital to survival in the respondent’s sensitive banking business.</u></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Therefore, to the learned counsel,the facts that constituted the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> of the Appellant in <b>Nwobosi’s case</b> were crystal clear, they were set out. He then asked whether the learned counsel for the defendant can still say that in <b>NWOBOSI VS ACB,</b> the facts or ingredients that constituted the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> were not made known to the employee that he was being dismissed for <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> without need to state or set out the facts that constitute the misconduct?That, <b>NWOBOSI VS ACB</b> never decided that. On the other hand, the facts of <b>NWOBOSI VS ACB LTD</b> show that the employee Nwobosi knew what he did, why he was queried, what constituted the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> for which he was given a query, arrested by the police and ultimately dismissed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At ratio 3, the apex court had further found as follows <b>“The principle of law is well settled that willful disobedience of a lawful and reasonable order of an employer by an employee is a definite act of misconduct which at common law, attracts the penalty of summary dismissal since such willful disobedience of a lawful order is a reflection of a total disregard of an essential condition of a contract of service, namely that the servant must obey a proper, reasonable and lawful order of the master in default of which their contractual relationship cannot be expected to continue”.</b> What act of the claimant in the present case could be equated with willful disobedience to lawful order?None was stated by the defendant beyond the nebulous <b>“Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant’s case therefore is that the claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct and that the said Claimant knows fully well the reasons for her dismissal for gross misconduct. Even when in her Reply to the statement of defence, the claimant had stated as follows at paragraph 2:<b>“That paragraphs 7 – 10 of the statement of defence are not correct and are denied, till date other than that the respondent had alleged that the claimant stole fund meant for diesel, she knows no other reason when she was dismissed by the respondent”,</b> the said defendant herself had at paragraph 11 of her statement of defence denied that the claimant was dismissed for the alleged theft of diesel money, why then was she dismissed?She answered and said <b>“Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the statement on oath of the sole witness for the defendant i.e, Mr. Ikediachukwu Chinedu Ugochukwu, he had insisted that the only reason the claimant was dismissed from the defendant’s employment was as he had put it in paragraph 6 of the said statement on oath because “<b>---------Records made available to me in course of my duty reveal also that she was dismissed for “Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In fact in her statement of defence at paragraph 6, the defendant had stated as follows <b>“The defendant denies paragraph 6 of the statement of fact and in reply avers that the claimant was dismissed for “gross misconduct” in line with the Bank’s Policy”</b>, the dismissal was therefore for <b>“Gross misconduct”,</b> no more, no less.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel then stated that the upshot of his argument is that by its own showing the defendant is saying that the reason the claimant was dismissed from its employment is because of <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> details of which were not given by the selfsame defendant. And having denied categorically that she had dismissed the claimant because she stole diesel fund, the only reason for the claimant’s dismissal in the circumstances is thus for <b>“Gross misconduct”</b>as also shown <b>“exfacie”</b> Exhibit C2.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, that at paragraph 7 of her statement of defence, the defendant had averred that<b>“The defendant in reply to paragraph 7 of the statement of facts, avers that the claimant’s suspension and eventual dismissal was also in line with the bank’s disciplinary procedure and policy. <u> Evidence will be led at the trial to prove that the claimant (a) knows fully well why she was dismissed,</u> Gross misconduct (b) was investigated, interviewed and heard of the allegations against her and her response was not satisfactory”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Surprisingly, counsel argues, the same defendant who had pleaded in her statement of defence that at the trial she would lead evidence to demonstrate or prove that the claimant knew the reason for her dismissal, turned back to paragraph 7 of her sole witnesses’ statement on oath to state <b>“That I adopt the averments contained in paragraphs 1 – 16 of the statement of defence filed at the registry of this court by counsel to the defendant”.</b>That the legal implication of the above is that the defendant had failed to prove those averments and had also abandoned her defence because pleading without evidence is deemed abandoned, the defendant who had pleaded that at the trial she would lead evidence to prove her case had at the trial led no evidence whatsoever but contrarily decided to fall back on her pleadings as evidence but sadly, pleadings without evidence falls to the ground and can never convert to evidence, relying on the cases of<b>INEC VS ACTION CONGRESS, 2009, 2 LRCN, 567 @ 577, AKANBI VS ALAO, 1989, 5 SC PAGE 1 @ 38</b> where the apex court had held that<b>“it is well settled that in such circumstances where the defendant has elected not to call evidence, he must be taken as admitting the facts of the case as stated by the plaintiffs and must stand on his submission and is bound --------------------- hence in this case the defendants shall be <u>taken as having abandoned their defence</u>”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant who had severally denied dismissing the claimant from her employment on account of the alleged stealing of diesel money had surprisingly made a “volte face” albeit in her counsel’s written argument at paragraphs 5.01 – 5.04 where the same defendant’s counsel had submitted that the claimant was heard on the allegations of stealing diesel money and was not denied her right to fair hearing. But she fails to realize that even at that, when the basis of the misconduct alleged against the employee sounds in criminality, then the police must come in, investigate the allegations and where the investigation reveals that the person be incriminated in any crime, charge him for that in a court of competent Jurisdiction. In fact, the matter does not even end with charging him to court, he must also be prosecuted and convicted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But in the case at hand, the claimant was never arrested by the police, not investigated, not charged to court, not prosecuted and was not convicted of the crime of stealing by a court of competent jurisdiction.That anyway, the address of counsel can never take the place of evidence however ingenious it may be. That in the case of <b>GARBA VS UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGRI, (1986) 1 NWLR, (Pt. 18) p. 550 @ 597-598, the apex court, per ESO JSC,</b>had heldthat<b>: “I think the facts in this case are clear as to the allegations made out against the appellants. I have already set them out in this case. They were charges of <u>arson, looting, stealing, indecent assault</u> – grievous criminal charges indeed in respect of which “Senate at its meeting of 28<sup>th</sup>-29<sup>th</sup> March 1983 was constituted into a disciplinary Board”. They considered the report of the disciplinary investigation panel which investigated those charges. The senate was not a tribunal or court Set up under the Constitution and it was in consequences of their report that the “Disciplinary Board of Senate endorsed the action of the vice chancellor and the vice chancellor decided to take action” in respect of “such students identified” by the panel “to have participated in the rampage”, to expel those students from the university, in other words, here is a trial of very serious criminal charges by a body other than a legal tribunal or more particularly a “a court of law” set up by the Constitution where the complaints of these students’ accusers could be publicly ventilated, where those accusers could be publicly cross-examined by the students in regard to the veracity of their accusations, where the students could be sure of getting a fair hearing as required by the constitution. Of course what happened is in serious breach of Section 33 of the Constitution”. </b>It was the apex court that rendered the above decision and to which learned counsel said was the end of discussion. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The learned counsel for the defendant had at paragraph 6.02 of this written argument further argued as follows “<b>The Court of Appeal in the case of UZONDU VS UNION BANK PLC (2009), 3 WRN P.97 AT PAGE 103 RRATIO 8 held that the justifiable ground for employer to dismiss his employee is “Where an employee omits to do something or commits an act which is injurious to the business of his duties, it is justifiable to dismiss him”</b>.The question then according to counsel is:“what did the claimant do which is injurious to the business of her employer and for which she was dismissed from the defendant’s employment?”The selfsame defendant says that what she did is that she had committed a <b>“Gross misconduct”,</b>but what facts constituted the said “<b>Gross misconduct</b>” were not stated. He urged the Court to find that the above case aligns with the submissions of the claimant’s counsel that the facts constituting the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> for the dismissal ought to and should be stated by 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In fact even the issue of the alleged stealing of diesel fund was denied by the defendant herself – See paragraphs 6,7,10 and 11 of the defendant’s statement of defence.For example, at paragraph 11 of the defendant’s statement of defence, the defendant had stated that:<b>“The Defendant denies paragraph 12 of the statement of facts and in reply states that the alleged labelling of the claimant as a thief is the coinage and claim of the claimant which has nothing to do with the defendant’s justifiable action on the claimant. Claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct in line with the Bank’s disciplinary procedure and policy”.</b> All that the defendant was saying above is, I did not dismiss the Claimant from my employment because of the allegation of her stealing diesel money, I rather did so for someother reason i.e<b>Gross misconduct”</b> the facts or details of which were not supplied.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel therefore submitted that till date, the claimant had not been told what she had done and for which she was sacked from the defendant’s employment and that her right to fair hearing had been breached by the defendant in failing to furnish her with facts which formed the basic ingredients of the “Gross misconduct” that she allegedly had been involved in for which she was dismissed. How then does the claimant defend herself of the allegation of engaging in “Gross misconduct” when the ingredients of the allegation had not been supplied to her, counsel asked. That in <b>ADIGUN VS A.G OYO STATE, (1987) 1 NWR PT 53 PAGE 678 @ 721, </b>the apex court had held <b>“Natural Justice demands that a party must be heard before the case against him is determined. Even God gave Adam an oral hearing despite the evidence supplied by his act of covering his nakedness, before the case against him………once an appellant shows that there is an infringement of the principle of natural justice against him, it is my view he needs show nothing more. The finding that there is an infringement of the principle is sufficient to grant him a remedy. This is not a case where one after showing “Injuria” would need to proceed further to show “damnum” the “Injuria” herein is proof positive of the damnum”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel continued by asking the question: Can the defendant in good conscience and in view of all the above still say that she had given the claimant fair hearing in this case?He then responded that if till date the defendant can still keep the reason for the claimant’s dismissal close to her chest without informing her of what she did or according her a fair hearing to proffer her defence, would it be said that the claimant got fair hearing in the case? He then submitted that she was not given one. That the case of <b>UZONDU VS UNION BANK PLC, supra,</b> cited by the learned counsel for the defendant therefore goes against her because the case had decided that an employee can be dismissed by his employer if he does something or commits an act injurious to the business of his employer, the decision is sound and makes a lot of sense, the employee cannot just be fired and his sack subsumed under the nebulous term "<b>Gross misconduct”.</b> The employer must condescend to particulars and specifics setting out or confronting the employee with the acts or facts that constitute the <b>“Gross misconduct”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Going back to the case of <b>NWOBOSI VS ACB LTD supra</b>, where the Appellant had been dismissed for <b>“Gross misconduct”, </b>the acts that constituted the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b>, were not at large, they were stated and the reason the apex court had at page 681 of its judgement in the case held that<b>“It seems quite clear to me that the list of offences contained in Article 5 (d)(i)—(x) cannot be regarded as exhaustive. It is equally clear to me that the act of <u>granting unauthorized over drafts and loans to customers</u> by the Appellant contrary to specific instructions as contained in Exhs. C and C – C3 amounted to an irregular practice in respect of cash. It was unauthorized and therefore irregular. The act also in my view equally amounted to a gross misconduct for which the Appellant was liable for summary dismissal under the common law whether or not it was covered by any of the provisions of Exhibit P”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> committed by Nwobosi in <b>NWOBOSI VS ACB LTD</b> supra was engaging in acts of insubordination and irregular practice of granting loans and over drafts to customers against the specific directives of the bank management, now in the present case, what acts of the claimant constitute the <b>“Gross misconduct”</b> for which she was dismissed from the defendant’s employment? According to counsel the defendant had stated none. Even the issue of alleged stealing of diesel fund had been roundly rejected by the same defendant as being the reason for her dismissing the claimant from her employment. Had it even been otherwise, the police did not investigate the allegations, the claimant was not charged to court or convicted by court of competent jurisdiction for the alleged offence of stealing.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is for the above reasons that learned counsel urged the court to hold that the claimant’s dismissal from the employment of the defendant is unlawful, illegal and unjustified.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, that where the claimant’s dismissal was wrong and illegal, then he also urged the court to find that the claimant had proved her entitlement to damages amounting to N32,261,402.00 for the following reasons:-<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(i)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant had tendered in court exhibit C1 which is her letter of appointment with the defendant, it provides that her of appointment with the defendant, it provides that her retirement age is <u>55 years</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(ii)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In paragraph 2 of her statement on oath the claimant had stated that while she exited the same as a manager on 10/6/2013. In fact her confirmation as a substantive staff of the bank had come up in December 1993, see paragraph 3 of her statement on oath.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(iii)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At paragraph 9 of her statement on oath she had led evidence to the effect that she had turned 50 years in December 2013 and still had 55 years being the retirement age agreed between the parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(iv)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She further had led evidence that in June 2013 when she was dismissed by the defendant, that her gross pay per annum amounted N4,603,280.40 i.e. N383,606.67 per month – (See Exhibit C3). A simple arithmetical calculation yields the sum of N23,016,402.00 as the cumulative gross pay the claimant would have earned for the 5 years she still would have worked had the defendant not terminated her appointment wrongfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(v)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In paragraph 11 of her Statement on oath she had stated that the gratuity she would have earned had she not been dismissed by the defendant amounted to N9,245,000=.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">(vi)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Notably, the defendant did not deny these claims, on the other hand, at paragraph 7 of her witness’s statement on oath, her only witness had stated<b>“That I adopt the averments contained in paragraph (sic)1-16 of the statement of defence filed at the Registry of this court by the counsel to the defendant”.</b>Unfortunately, pleadings can never convert to evidence and so the defendant, in the eyes of the law had led no evidence on her pleadings to prove her case meaning that the same had been abandoned and the averments in the claimant’s statement of claim admitted.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant is therefore deemed to have admitted the evidence led in the claimant’s statement on oath and facts admitted need no further proof or at the worst need minimal proof which the claimant had advanced in proof of her case – <b>OKUKUJE VS AKWIDO, (2001) 1SC PT II PAGE 80 @ 139, ADESOLA VS ABIDOYE, 1999 10 – 12SC, 109, AKANI VS ALAO </b>supra, <b>OGUEJIOFOR VS OSAKA, 2000, 3SC, PAGE 1 @ PAGE 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">At paragraph 2 of her statement of defence, the defendant had admitted that the claimant had been confirmed as a staff of the bank after the probationary period set out in Exhibit C1, the same Exhibit C1 had provided in clear terms that the normal retirement age at which the claimant would exit the bank was 55 years of age. It was because the claimant had accepted the offer that she was able to work for the defendant for all of 20 years. The defendant had a contract with the claimant and while it is conceded that the Claimant cannot be imposed on an unwilling master but suffice that the selfsame defendant is estopped from dismissing her from her employment just like that without paying the claimant any damages for failing to allow her work up to the retirement age of 55 years as set out in exhibit C1. This act constitutes a breach of the contract of the parties (Exh. C1) that the claimant shall work for the defendant up to the age of 55 years.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That in <b>SAVANNAH BANK PLC VS FAKOKUN (2000) I NWLR (Pt. 749) p. 544 at 550,</b>the Court of Appeal had held at ratio 5 thus<b>“While an employer is not bound to give any reason for lawfully terminating a contract of service, he <u>must give reason </u>for <u>summarily dismissing the servant.</u> In the instant case, the allegation of gross misconduct given as reason for the dismissal of the respondent which bothers on criminal allegation was not proved by its action the appellant deprived the respondent of his right to fair hearing as provided in section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That at ratio 6, the Court had held that:<b>“An employer who had wrongfully dismissed an employee had by implication put an end to his contract of service. The employee is therefore entitled to damages for breach of contract. In the instant case, the respondent was entitled to his salary and other entitlements and benefits”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In conclusion, counsel urged the Court to grant all the reliefs sought by the claimant in her statement of claim.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Replying on points of law, counsel stated that on the 1<sup>st</sup> issue of non-stating the ingredients that constitute Gross Misconduct on the face of Exhibit C2, and giving the reason for summary dismissal, he contended that it is not the requirement of the Law that the ingredients that constitute Gross Misconduct must be stated on the face of Letter of Dismissal. He added that it is also not the requirement of the law that the employer must give reason for summarily dismissing an employee. That the correct position of the law is as stated by the Supreme Court in the case of <b><u>INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT BOARD VS MRS JUMMAI R. I. ANYIP (2011) LPELR – 151 (SC)</u></b> P.21 <b>paras A – C per Chukwuma – Eneh JSC</b><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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Although it is trite that an employer is not obliged to give any reason for firing his servant, all the same it is settled law that where he has proffered any reason at all, it is obliged to satisfactorily prove the same as the onus is on him in that regard, otherwise the termination/dismissal may constitute a wrongful dismissal without more.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To learned counsel, the import of the Supreme Court’s pronouncement in the above case does not show that the ingredient that constitutes Gross Misconduct whose punishment is summary dismissal must be stated.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The term Gross Misconduct for which the claimant was dismissed clearly connotes conduct that is of grave and weighty character as to undermine the confidence which shall exist between an employer and the employee as defined by the Supreme Court in NWOBOSI’S CASE. That the real act that constitutes the Gross Misconduct for which the claimant was dismissed was captured in her response under cross-examination by counsel to the defendant thus:<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Question – Did the Bank ever confront you with the allegation of stealing diesel fund?<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Answer - The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund but no amount was stated.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant herself has clearly stated in her evidence before this court that the allegation against her by the Bank is misappropriation of Diesel Fund and that she responded to the said allegation explaining and exonerating herself from the allegation. She did not however tender her said written response exonerating her from the allegation against her.<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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He submitted that her failure to tender her response in court is because if tendered, the content will be against her. He urged the Court to so hold, relying on S. 167(d) of the Evidence Act, 2011.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He contended in the instant case that Misappropriation of diesel fund which claimant stated was the allegation against her is a conduct of a grave and weighty character that undermines the confidence which exists between the defendant Bank and the claimant who was a Manager of the defendant’s 9<sup>th</sup> Mile branch at the material time. This is because misappropriation of fund caused the defendant Bank to lose fund. The act is a Gross Misconduct.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The law is trite that where an employee works against the deep interest of her employer like in the present case, it amounts to Gross Misconduct whose punishment is dismissal.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Counsel urged the Court to be guided and be bound by the above decision of the apex court of the land, and hold that the defendant Bank is not obliged to state the reason for dismissing the claimant or to state the ingredient that constitute Gross Misconduct. He urged the court therefore to dismiss this action and hold that the claimant’s dismissal is justified.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the Second Issue that in <b><u>NWOBOSI’S CASE</u></b> cited in the body of the defendants final written address that the employee knew what he did, why he was queried, and what constituted the Gross Misconduct for which he was queried and dismissed, counsel’s contention is that in the instant case the claimant herself knew what she did, why she was queried and eventually dismissed by the Bank.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That while answering question under cross-examination by counsel to the defendant the claimant stated thus:<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>Question - Did the Bank confront you with allegation of stealing diesel fund?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Answer (CW1) – The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund but no amount was stated. It was the procedure for purchasing diesel fund that I explained on my appeal.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is therefore crystal clear that the claimant knows fully well what she did, and why she was queried and eventually dismissed, has something to do with falsification of record relating to purchase of diesel for the Bank. She did not tender any document to prove that the Bank accused her of stealing diesel fund.<b>The suspension letter in particular was not tendered before this court.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He therefore, urged the court to hold that <b><u>NWOBOSI’S CASE</u></b> aptly applies to the instant case, and that by the authority of<b><u>ACB PLC V MBASIKE (supra)</u></b> it is sufficient if such ground exists whether or not the employer knew of it at the time of the dismissal. He again urged the court to dismiss this action.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the Third issue of the defendant accusing the claimant of stealing diesel fund but she was never arrested, investigated, tried or convicted of the offence of stealing; Our Response is that the defendant never accused the claimant of stealing diesel Fund.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to learned counsel there is no documentary evidence before this court showing that the defendant ever accused the claimant of stealing diesel Fund.The claimant while answering question under cross examination by the counsel to the defendant stated in part:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund, but no amount was stated.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant has in several paragraphs of her statement of facts stated that she was called “a Thief” and accused of stealing diesel fund by the defendant. Evidence to show that is not before this court.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In totality, it is evidently clear that there is no evidence before this court to establish that the defendant accused the claimant of stealing diesel fund. He submitted that in the absence of such proof, it is therefore not necessary for the defendant to have invited the Police for the arrest, detention, prosecution and conviction of the claimant before dismissing her.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Therefore counsel urged the Court to discountenance the claimant’s argument in this regard, and hold that there is no evidence before this court to prove that claimant was accused of stealing diesel fund, by the defendant to warrant initiating criminal proceedings and eventual conviction before dismissing her. The claimant’s action shall fail and should be dismissed, urging the court to so hold.<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In conclusion learned counsel urged the court to discountenance the arguments rendered by the claimant’s counsel in his Final Written Address on the ground:<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;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">i)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That the legal reasoning therein are not logical.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">ii)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That the legal issues raised and legal authorities cited are not applicable to the instant case and accordingly refuse all the reliefs being sought by the claimant in paragraph 17 of her statement of fact, and dismiss the entire suit for want of merit.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I have carefully considered the processes filed, the evidence led, arguments and submissions of counsel in this case. The issue that arises for the court’s determination is:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Claimant was able to prove her case upon the preponderance of evidence that her employment with the defendant was wrongfully dismissed as to entitle her to her reliefs?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before going into the determination of this lone issue, let me give a brief facts of the case. The Claimant was employed by the Defendant on the 4<sup>th</sup> of December, 1992 as an officer in training. On the 10<sup>th</sup> of June 2013 she was terminated by dismissal having attained the rank of Manager and served for about twenty years.Her appointment was confirmed in December, 1993. The Claimant alleges that the financial position of the defendant was not so sound in the year 2013 and instead of seeking for the claimant’s understanding regarding the financial predicament of the defendant, the defendant contrived a disingenuous arrangement by which it alleged that the Claimant had stolen funds meant for procurement of diesel. However the amount said to have been stolen or misappropriated was not stated by the Defendant. Then in April, 2013 the Claimant was suspended from work but that suspension was accompanied with a dismissal on 10<sup>th</sup> June, 2013. The dismissal followed her answer to a query she was given by the Defendant after her suspension. The claimant challenged her dismissal in this suit claiming that it was wrongful and she should be paid what she would have earned up the time of her retirement age of 55years.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On its part, the defendant averred that the Claimant was its Branch Manager at the 9<sup>th</sup> Mile Branch of the bank. She was involved in acts that led to her dismissal for gross misconduct. This related to misappropriation of funds meant for diesel at her branch. The defendant maintained that though the Defendant did not mention the act of misconduct in the letter of dismissal of the Claimant, the Claimant knew the reason for her dismissal which amounted to gross misconduct. Therefore there was no need to state same in the letter of dismissal.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Turning to the issue for determination, the Claimant’s case is that her letter of dismissal is silent on the actual act(s) which the Defendant considered to have amounted to gross misconduct in dismissing her. That what the Defendant should have done was to have stated the act(s) which amounted to misconduct on the face of the letter of dismissal. However, the Claimant further argued that even if the event which preceded her dismissal, i.e., the suspension and query over the issue of misappropriation of diesel funds at the Branch she was managing, (the 9<sup>th</sup> Mile Branch of the Defendant), was what the Defendant relied upon in dismissing her, labelling her as a “thief” was not appropriate as she was not arrested, not prosecuted and not found guilty for that. This is because, being an allegation of crime, the Claimant could only be said to be guilty of same where she has been so tried and found guilty by a tribunal or court. Therefore her dismissal is wrongful, null and void.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the Defendant however, the Claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct and that she was aware of the act(s) which amounted to the said misconduct. The Defendant maintained that it had no obligation to inform the Claimant about the particular act(s) which amounted to misconduct which led to the dismissal.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the law is settled that in an action for wrongful termination/dismissal the Claimant has the onus to plead and lead evidence of the employment contract, the Terms and Conditions of Service, as well as the way and manner those terms and conditions were breached by the defendant in terminating/dismissing the claimant. See <b><i>BUKAR MODU AJI v. CHAD BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY & ANOR(2015) LPELR-SC.71/2005</i></b>where the Supreme Court, Per PETER-ODILI, J.S.C. (Pp. 16-18, paras. A-D) recently outlined the duty of an employee in a termination/dismissal case as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Having shown the concurrent findings of the two Courts below which are in line with well established long line of cases especially of this court, an example of which I shall state hereunder as <b>Amodu v. Amode& Anor (1990) 3 NSCC 226 at 237 </b>per Agbaje, JSC thus:- "........ it appears clear to me that since it is the plaintiff's case that his dismissal by the defendants is not in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract of service between them. It is for the plaintiff to plead and prove the conditions of service regulating the contract of service in question........ In the absence of the conditions of service between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant, one cannot see whether or not the Governing Council or the Sole administrator of the second defendant has anything to do with the contract sued upon by the plaintiff." See also <b>Baba v N.C.A.T.C. (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 192) 388 at 413</b>. What can be stated to be the rock solid position of the law with regard to an action by an aggrieved employee on the termination or dismissal from service is that to found his case there is no running away from pleading and proving his contract of service to substantiate his claim. In the case at hand throughout the particulars of claim, there is no plea of the conditions of service governing his employment with the respondents and in evidence nothing is put forward from which those conditions could be ferreted out and no document evidencing the contract of service. It therefore needs be said that waving the flag of a breach of fair hearing entrenched in the Constitution as per Section 33 of the 1979 Constitution prevailing at the time of the action's commencement which section is impari materia with the current Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution does not provide the saving grace. This is because the absence of the pleading and establishing the contract of service, the Court is left without the working tools with which it can consider the case as advanced by the employee as to whether or not there was breach. In other words, the breach cannot exist in vacuo and such a situation produces the absence of a condition precedent which cannot be waived being fundamental. I place reliance on the following case <b>Rector Kwara State Polytechnic v Adefila (2008) All FWLR (Pt.431) 914 at 982 - 983</b>. For emphasis the Plaintiff/Appellant is enjoined by law when he complains that his employment has been wrongfully terminated, he has the onus of placing before the Court the terms of contract of employment and then go on to prove in what way the said terms were breached by the employer. Failing on both counts in this instance, the case of the Appellant at the trial Court which Court said so in clear terms and the Lower Court agreed in toto and well backed by the materials available in the Record. See <b>Okomu Oil Palm Co. Ltd. v Iserhienrhen (2001) FWLR (Pt.45) 6790 at 683; Amodu v. Amode (supra)</b>. What has transpired in this case is an example of when concurrent judgments of two Courts below should be left unhampered with. The reasons are obvious and easy to see as there is no miscarriage of justice, no perversity, no substantial error apparent on the face of the record of proceedings nor is there a wrong application of the substantive or procedural law advanced by the appellant and so the appellant failing on those counts, those findings of the two Courts emanating from due and painstaking considerations are not to be upset or interfered with in this appeal. I rely on <b>Salim v CPC (2013) 6 NWLR (Pt.1315) 501 at 524, 526,</b> a decision of this Court.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">See also<b><i>Katto vs CBN (1999) NWLR (Pt. 607) p. 30 </i></b>and <b><i>Bamgboye vs UNILORIN (1999) 10 NWLR (Pt. 622) p. 290 at 326.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The question now is what has the Claimant pleaded and relied upon as evidence in this case? From the pleadings and evidence before the court, the claimant has pleaded and tendered her three key pieces of evidence. These are:-<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Letter of Appointment, Exhibit C1.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Letter of Dismissal, Exhibit C2.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pay Slip for the month of March 2013, Exhibit C3.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is evident that Exhibit C1 which is the letter of appointment has stated some terms and conditions of the employment relating to probationary period and pension rights. But the Claimant in reality has not pleaded and tendered the Conditions of Service which generally governs the employment relationship between her and the Defendant especially those that concern matters of discipline. The only thing close to a term and condition which the claimant pleaded and led evidence on is the issue of retirement age/pension right which is contained in the letter of appointment itself. Apart from that there is no any term and/or condition pleaded and put in evidence by 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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, the more critical point is the fact that the authorities referred to above provided for the terms and conditions which stipulate the contractual framework for the employment relationship between the Claimant and the Defendant. See <b><i>Aji Vs Chad Basin Authority (2015), supra, Katto vs CBN, supra, </i></b>and <b><i>Bamgboye vs UNILORIN (1999), supra.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Claimant has pleaded the disciplinary issues which according to her led to her dismissal. In paragraphs 7, 8, 12, 13 and 15 she asserted those issues in the following words:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">7. That she had in April 2013 suspended the Claimant from her employment and followed up soon thereafter on 10<sup>th</sup> June, 2013 with her outright dismissal from the defendant’s employment, instructively even as the wrongdoing alleged against her was essentially criminal in nature, the police or any other arm of the law enforcement agencies had not been brought to investigate the allegation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">8. The claimant had she not been so dismissed albeit illegally by the defendant from her employment, still had 5 years to go before her retirement at 55 years of age based on her contract of employment with the defendant since she had just turned 50 years old in December, 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">12. The upshot of her labelling the Claimant “thief” of diesel fund is that for life, except the Honourable Court intervenes, she is now regarded by all ad sundry including her former colleagues in the office as a common criminal or felon, meanwhile neither the Police nor the Court has investigated or convicted the Plaintiff for the offence of stealing, at the trial the defendant would be challenged to show that she had dismissed the Claimant from her employment other than upon an allegation of stealing diesel fund belonging to the defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">13. The Claimant shall on her own part contend at the trial that by whatever name called, stealing is stealing and is a criminal offence under our criminal code which allegation must as a requirement of law be investigated by the police, where after investigation there be a “prima facie” proof that the offence has been committed, the suspect ought to be charged to court, tried and convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction before it may be actually stated that he/she stole the property alleged against her, this had not been done in the claimant’s case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">15. The defendant had only paid the Claimant’s long service entitlement upon demand long after she had been dismissed from the defendant’s service, i.e., in September, 2013, in all the defendant had not in actual fact dismissed the claimant from her employment because she stole even her kobo, rather the truth is that she had branded her a “thief” as the only way to “off-load” the Claimant from her service flowing from her lean resources that could not conveniently offset the salaries of her staff any more.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">These facts in the pleading were now deposed to in paragraphs 8, 9, 13, 14 and 16 the Statement on oath of the CW1 who was the sole witness. The Claimant has therefore referred to the problem of diesel fund which led to her suspension initially and later her dismissal.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On its own part, the Defendant in its paragraphs 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, of the Statement of Defence denied the Claimant’s assertions in the following terms:<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">7. The defendant in reply to paragraph 7 of the Statement of Facts, avers that the Claimant’s suspension and eventual dismissal was also in line with the bank’s disciplinary procedure and policy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Evidence will be led at the trial to prove that the Claimant:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo7"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">a)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Knows fully well why she was dismissed, Gross-Misconduct.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo7"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">b)<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Was investigated, interviewed, and heard of the allegations against her, and her response was not satisfactory.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">8. The defendant denies paragraph 8 of the Statement of facts and in reply states that the Claimant was dismissed in line with the policy of the Bank. Evidence will be led at the trial to prove that there is no such thing as 55 years retirement age in the Bank’s contract of service cited by the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">10. In reply to paragraph 11 of the Statement of Fact, the defendant avers that the claimant knows fully well the reason for her dismissal and shall contend at the trial that same is proper and justified.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">11. The defendant denies paragraph 12 of the Statement of facts and in reply states that the alleged labelling of the claimant as thief is the coinage and claim of the claimant which has nothing to do with the defendant’s justifiable action of dismissal of the claimant. Claimant was dismissed for gross-misconduct in line with the Bank’s disciplinary procedure and policy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">12. The defendant denies paragraph 13 of the statement of facts and avers that the claimant was disciplined in line with her Banking policy and contract of service.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">13. In reply to paragraph 14 of the statement of facts, the defendant avers that as a senior staff of the Bank, the claimant knows fully well that the natural consequences of her act that led to her dismissal can land her in the position she presently finds herself. Claimant cannot claim ignorant (sic) of the reason for her dismissal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5in; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">14. The defendant admits paragraph 15 of the Statement of facts only to the extent that the Bank out of her magnanimity duly recognized and paid the claimant her long service award due to her before her dismissal in June, 2013. The defendant further avers that the claimant was not owed any benefit of any description before her dismissal in June 13.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant’s sole witness, DW1, Ugochukwu Ikedinachukwu Chinedu testified to these averments in paragraph 7 of the Statement on oath adopted on 23<sup>rd</sup> February, 2016. <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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant filed a reply to the Statement of Defence with additional statement on oath basically maintaining the position stated in the Statement of facts and evidence given thereon. The main issue re-affirmed by the claimant is that she was dismissed because of the diesel fund saga.<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With this state of the pleadings and evidence stated, the question is whose duty is it to prove the assertions on the preponderance of evidence? The law on this is settled. To start with, I have earlier on referred to <b><i>Katto vs CBN, supra, </i></b>and<b><i> Aji vs Chad Basin, supra,</i></b> where the principle was laid that the onus is on the Claimant to prove that she was wrongfully dismissed. The claimant had pleaded and tendered the letter of dismissal, Exhibit C2. It states in part as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>June 7, 2013<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <b><u>PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>Miller Christina Linda (3137996)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> C/O Union Bank of Nigeria Plc<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> 9<sup>th</sup> Mile Enugu Branch/Department<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Dear Christiana,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DISMISSAL</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">You are hereby <b>Dismissed</b> from the Bank’s Service with effect from June 10, 2013 for gross misconduct.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">You are required to submit to your Zonal Coordinator/Head of Department all Bank’s property in your possession including your Identity Card.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Please acknowledge receipt.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Yours sincerely.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Signed<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">MIKE IYELA<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">HEAD HUMAN RESOURCES<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 style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This letter of dismissal only stated that the Claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct. However, the Claimant had argued that the gross misconduct had not been alluded to in the letter of dismissal but nevertheless she pleaded and gave evidence that her dismissal was in connection with the diesel fund. The Claimant as I have earlier on pointed out pleaded and gave evidence that she was dismissed in connection with the diesel saga at her branch office. During cross examination, the Claimant as CW1 stated that position as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <i>Question: Why were you dismissed by the Bank?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> CW1: The letter I received said I was dismissed for gross misconduct.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Question: What did you do after the receipt of the letter?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: My immediate reaction was to appeal because I did not understand what it meant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: What happened to the appeal?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: It was not successful and that is why I am here. My grounds for appeal were that I have had no queries from the Bank in the 20 years that I served. I was confirmed in just one year after appointment. And that the last performance report rated me as “Excellent”. I therefore asked for a review in view of good conduct.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: Did the Bank ever confront you with allegation of stealing diesel fund?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: The letter of suspension to me stated that I was alleged to have misappropriated diesel fund but no amount was stated. It was the procedure for purchasing diesel that I explained in my appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">…………………………..<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: What did the bank do after receiving your explanation on procedure for buying fuel?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: I was asked to send all copies of approvals for purchase of diesel, which we did.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Question: What did the Bank do after receipt of the evidence?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-1.0in; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">CW1: I received a letter of suspension as I was on vacation at that time. After that I received a letter of dismissal sent to me. I still maintain that I was called a diesel thief.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cross examination has given more flesh to the skeleton of the Claimant’s allegation that she was dismissed in connection with the diesel saga. The main problem of the Claimant, however, is that she had alluded to the letter of suspension which stated the fact of the nature of the allegation on diesel misappropriation. She also alluded to a response she wrote to a query over the procedure for the purchase of fuel. The point here is that since the Claimant had a duty to discharge the onus of proof first, the failure to tender the letter of suspension given to her, the query and/or the reply to the query over supply of diesel means that the court cannot conclusively determine the issue of the nature of the gross misconduct referred to by the defendant in its letter of dismissal, Exhibit C2. I think the learned defendant’s counsel was on firm ground here when he cited the provisions of Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act in paragraph 4.06 of his final written address in urging the court to hold that the Claimant withheld or did not produce the documents because if produced, they would not be favourable to her case. See <b><i>Motoh vs Motoh (2011) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1274) 474, Chinekwe vs Chinekwe (2010) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1208) 226, Igbeke vs Emordi (2010) 11NWLR (Pt. 1204) 1, George vs State (2009) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1122) at 325, Adediran vs Alao (2001) 18 NWLR (Pt. 745), 408.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For instance, under cross examination the claimant was asked if any loss was occasioned to the defendant as a result of the diesel saga but she denied knowledge of that while at the same time claiming that no amount of money was tagged on the misappropriated diesel fund. These could only conveniently and conclusively be determined where the documents in question were laid before the Court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Claimant alleges that her accusation with “stealing” of diesel cannot be used to dismiss her on the ground that she had neither been investigated nor found guilty of stealing by any tribunal or court of law. However, the current position of the law is that the employer need not wait for a trial and conviction of an employee where he is accused of misconduct bordering on criminality before summarily dismissing him. In the case of <b><i>SamsonBabatunde Olarewaju V. Afribank Nigeria Plc (2001) LPELR-2573(SC), </i></b>the Supreme Court, Per Katsina-Alu, J.S.C. (as he then was) at p. 27, paras. B-D)held that:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Where therefore an employee has been found guilty by a disciplinary committee of any of the gross-misconducts highlighted above, the master has a choice either to exercise his or its discretion in favour of prosecuting the erring servant or dismissing him summarily as in the instant case. In other words prosecution before a court of law, in the circumstances, is not a sine qua non for summary dismissal. This court in the case of Alhaji Yusuf v. Union Bank of Nigeria Ltd. (1996) 6 NWLR (Pt. 457) 632; (1996) Delta State Law Report (Pt.1) 31 per Wali, J.S.C. held thus:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">It is not necessary, nor is it a requirement under section 33 of the 1979 Constitution that before an employer summarily dismisses his employee from his services under the common law, the employee must be tried before a court of law where the accusation against the employee is for gross misconduct involving dishonesty bordering on criminality.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">See also <b><i>Mr Benedict Chidobem Ajuzi v. First Bankof Nigeria PLC(2016) LPELR-CA/OW/265/2011</i></b>, and <b><i>P. C. Mike Eze v. Spring Bank PLC (2011) LPELR-SC.69/1998, </i></b>where Muhammad JSC at pages 25-26, paras G-B, held that:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I am of the view that it was not necessary for the respondent to have waited for the prosecution of the appellant for the criminal offences disclosed in his various acts of gross misconduct, before taking steps to deal with him by appropriate dismissal. In other words, <u>it is no longer the law that where an employee commits acts of gross-misconduct against his employer which acts also disclose criminal offences under any law, the employer has to wait for the outcome of the prosecution of the employee for such criminal offences before proceeding to discipline the employee under the contract of service or employment.</u>(Underlining is mine for emphasis)<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The above cited decision clearly lays the issue to rest. It is no longer the law that an employer must wait for a criminal conviction of his employee accused of misconduct which also amounts to a criminal offence before dismissing him. Once the employer is satisfied of the commission of the act of misconduct even if same amounts to a criminal offence he can go ahead and dismiss him. Therefore in the instant case, the claimant’s view that her dismissal was wrong because she had not been tried by a court of law cannot hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I have earlier on in this Judgment referred to the burden of proof which in a dismissal case such as the instant one lies on the Claimant. It must be reiterated that the Claimant had a duty to prove the contract of employment, the terms and conditions of employment and how those terms and conditions of employment were breached by the Defendant which thus nullifies the dismissal. Rhodes Vivor JSC in the case of <b><i>P. C. Mike Eze v. Spring Bank PLC (2011), supra</i></b>, explained the position in simple and lucid terms as follows (at p.35, paras A-C):<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:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Now, to determine whether the dismissal of an employee was correct or wrong, the terms of employment of the aggrieved employee must be examined to see whether the correct procedure was followed. Where there is departure from the prescribed procedure or a violation of the elementary rules of natural justice, then the dismissal is unlawful. See: Olaniyan v University of Lagos (1985) 3 N.W.L.R. Pt 9 p.599; Adedeji v Police Service Commission (1968) N.M.L.R P.102; Nwobosi v A.C.B. Ltd. (1995) 6 N.W.L.R. Pt.404 p.677.</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In his final written address at paragraphs 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25thereof, the claimant’s counsel argued that the Defendant did not lead evidence on the reason for the dismissal as pleaded by it. Here the position of the law is that where the employee challenges his dismissal by the employer, it is his duty to prove same and not that of the employer to prove that the termination was not wrongful. See </span><b><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GURAMA L. DEKOM V. JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION, PLATEAU STATE </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(2010) LPELR-CA/J/206/2002</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">where it was held, per NDUKWE ANYANWU, J.C.A (Pp. 11-12, paras. 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