Download PDF
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Representation</span></u></b><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">O. I. Onyeoyibo with M. U. Okereafor and S. C. Ohanyere for the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">F. U. Unyimadu for the Defendant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">JUDGMENT</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">The Claimant commenced this suit by way of a Complaint on 5<sup>th</sup> June 2015 and claimed against the Defendant as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">1.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><s><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">N</span></s><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">6,174,528.00 (Six Million, One Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira) only, being short payment of his pension for a period of 96 months reckoning from 1<sup>st</sup> June, 2007 to 31<sup>st</sup> May 2015 at the rate of <s>N</s>64,318.00 (Sixty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighteen Naira) only per month.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Interest on the said sum stated in (a) above at the rate of 5% per annum from 2015 till judgment is given in this case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Interest on the said sum stated in (a) above at the rate of 5% per annum from the date judgment is entered in this case till execution of judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">The complaint was filed with the Statement of Facts, Claimant’s List of Witnesses, Sworn Deposition of Claimant’s witness, Claimant’s List of Documents and Copies of Documents to be relied on. The Defendant on 28th September 2015 filed a Statement of Defence and other accompanying processes. These were duly regularized and hearing commenced on 21<sup>st</sup> January 2016. The Claimant testified for himself as CW1 and tendered the following documents as exhibits:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit A</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">- Appointment Letter dated 29<sup>th</sup> October, 1992<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit B-</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE"> offer of temporary appointment dated 19 August 1992<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit C</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">- promotion letter dated 17/03/2006<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">4.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit D</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">- Institute of Management and Technology(IMT)’s letter 17/10/1990<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">5.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit E- IMT’s letter 6/10/1994</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">6.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit F- Circular dated 18/1/2007<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">7.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit G- Notice of Retirement dated 24/4/2007<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">8.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit H-attached memo dated 20/2/2006<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">9.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit I- computation of retirement benefits <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">10.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit J- claimant’s letter dated 10/12/2013<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">11.<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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Exhibit K – defendant’s letter dated 7/5/2014<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">Cosmas Njoku testified for the defence as the DW1. In its defence, the Defendant relied on the documents tendered by the Claimant as Exhibits A, B, C and D.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">Hearing ended on 22/6/2016. Both parties were ordered to file their final written addresses. The Defendant’s Final Address was filed on 13/7/2016. The Claimant’s Address was filed on 29/7/2016. Parties adopted their final written addresses on 25/10/2016. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-bidi-language:HE">In the Defendant’s counsel final address, three issues were formulated for determination, as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the reliefs sought by the Claimant in this suit are supported by his pleadings and evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the Claimant served as a Professor for 15 years in a University in Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the Claimant’s service in the Federal Civil Service was continuous in a University in Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">On main issue one; counsel contended that parties are bound by their pleadings as was made explicit in the case <b>AMANA SUIT HOTELS vs. PDP (2007) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1031) 453</b>, and evidence must be led to prove facts relied on by a party. See <b>UBA vs. ASTRA BUILDINGS LIMITED (2010) 41 NSCQR (Pt. 2) 1016</b>. Counsel submitted that the Claimant in this extant suit failed to plead and prove facts in support of his monetary claim. Counsel submitted further that the Claimant did not plead or prove what his monthly salary or the monthly breakdown of his annual salary was at the point of retirement. It is counsel’s contention that in paragraph 9 of the statement of facts and witness deposition, the Claimant claimed 100% of his annual salary as pension, which when broken down will give his monthly entitlement as pension but did not plead or tender any pay slip or voucher as exhibit to show his earnings. Counsel argued that the failure of the Claimant to plead or prove these necessary facts as stated above is fatal to his monetary claims which are based on figures.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel proceeded to argue issues 2 and 3 together and submitted that where the ordinary plain meaning of words used in a statute are very clear and unambiguous, effect must be given to those words without resorting to any intrinsic or external aid. See <b>OKOTIE EBOH vs. MANAGER (2004) 18 NWLR (Pt. 905) 242</b>. Again, counsel contended that it is the court’s duty to ascertain the meaning of words used by reading them in their ordinary grammatical sense and give effect to them unless such construction would lead to an absurdity or would be repugnant to the intention collected from other parts of the statute. See <b>BUHARI vs. OBASANJO (2005) All FWLR (Pt. 273) 1</b>. From the immediately preceding cases, counsel is of the opinion that Section 23 of the Federal University of Technology Act, Cap F23, Laws of the Federation 2004 (FUT Act) calls for interpretation in this suit. The said provision reads;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">“Section 23: SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO PENSION OF PROFESSORS<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%; mso-bidi-language:HE">A person who retires as a professor having served;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">A minimum period of fifteen (15) years as a professor in the University or continuously in the service of a University in Nigeria up to the retiring age and,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Who during the period of service was absent from the University only on an approved national or University assignment shall be entitled to a pension at a rate equivalent to his last annual salary and such allowance as the council may from time to time determine as qualifying for pension and gratuity in addition to any other retirement benefits to which he may be entitled.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Furthermore, counsel argued that in interpreting the above stated statutory provision, regard must be given to the pleadings of the parties, in which both parties admitted that the Claimant was a professor in the Defendant for only 4 years before his retirement. More so, counsel argued further that the Claimant served in the Defendant for 15 years and served in Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) for 18 years and it is only for the purposes of continuous service for purposes of retirement by length of time in the Federal Civil Service, that the transfer of the Claimant from IMT to FUTO is considered. Also, it is counsel’s argument that Section 23 of the FUT Act cannot apply to the Claimant who spent 18 years of the Federal Civil Service in a polytechnic (IMT) and 15 years in a Nigerian University (FUTO). In conclusion, counsel urged the court to resolve all the issues in the address in favour of the Defendant and dismiss the Claimant’s suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">In the Claimant counsel’s final address, counsel adopted the defence counsel’s first issue as issue 1 and formulated two other issues namely:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">2. Whether the Claimant having served in the Defendant continuously for fifteen years and retired as a professor, the Claimant is not entitled to 100% of his total emolument as pension.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">3. Was Exhibit I faulted or shown to be wrongly computed by the Defendant?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">In arguing issue one, counsel submitted that the Claimant pleaded what his monthly salary was at his retirement in paragraphs 10-12 of the statement of facts and tendered Exhibit F which introduced the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (subsequently referred to as CONUASS) dated 18/1/2007. Also, counsel tendered Exhibit I that worked out the Claimant’s annual salary as <s>N</s>2,003,672.00. It is counsel’s argument that the Claimant is not required to plead facts that are contained in the exhibits, especially as Exhibit I was made by the Defendant and Exhibit C stated the level and salary the Claimant was on. Counsel referred the court to the case of <b>LAWAL vs. G. B. OLIVANT (1972) 3 SC 124 at 130</b>, where the court held that if an agreement in writing is referred to in a pleading, it becomes part of the pleading and it is open to the court to give the agreement its true legal effect; irrespective of the terms used in the pleadings to indicate such effect. See also <b>JFS INVESTMENT LTD vs. BRAWAL LINE LTD (2010) 44 NSCQR 243 at 294</b>. It is counsel’s further submission that the live issue in this matter is what constitutes the percentage of the Claimant’s pension.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Regarding issue two, counsel aligned with the Defence Counsel’s submission that clear words of statutes should be given their natural interpretation and argued that Section 23 of FUT Act provides for two categories of retiring professors as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Those who are professors for up to 15 years in the service of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Those who are professors on retirement but not up to 15 years as professors</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">in the service of the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel submitted that the phrase “continuously in the service of the university in Nigeria up to retiring age” means that when the service of a lecturer in a university was not broken from the date of appointment as a professor, he/she shall be entitled to full benefits. Thus, it is counsel’s opinion that the Claimant’s 15 years of continuous service to the Defendant up to retirement age as a professor satisfies the provisions of the phrase “continuously in the service of the university in Nigeria up to retiring age”. Counsel argued further that the Defendant counsel’s argument on this point attempts to import what is not provided for in Section 23 of FUT Act and that the Claimant does not to look elsewhere to compliment his 15 years of service in the Defendant for the purpose of full pension.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">On issue three, counsel submitted that after Exhibit I was approved by the Bursar, two other officers of the Defendant approved it before the Vice-Chancellor sealed same, cannot be set aside by Exhibit K. It is counsel’s argument that the computation in Exhibit I went through the computing and approving authorities of the Defendant and was in accordance with CONUASS but the Defendant failed to pay the Claimant the 100% stipulated in Exhibit I. Also, counsel submitted that Exhibit K discloses the irregular and inexplicable percentages and system of payments to the Claimant and no other computation was adduced by the Defendant that cancelled the computation in Exhibit I, and Exhibit K does not represent the computation as required by CONUASS. Therefore, counsel argued that in the event that Exhibit I was not faulted or shown to be wrongly computed by the Defendant, it remains relevant. Counsel urged the court to grant the reliefs of the Claimant as proved in this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">In the Defendant counsel’s Reply on Points of Law filed on 5/10/2016, counsel submitted that the submission of the Claimant counsel’s counsel that certain documents pleaded take the place of pleadings is an admission that the Claimant’s salary was not pleaded. It is counsel’s submission that this argument of the Claimant’s counsel is misconceived because the law is that evidence led on facts not pleaded goes to no issue. See the cases of <b>SUMMER vs. FHA (1992) 1 NWLR (Pt. 219) 548, and OHIAERI vs. AKABUEZE (1992) 2 NWLR (Pt. 221) 1</b>. Again, counsel argued that the argument of the Claimant’s counsel in relation to Section 23 of the FUT Act is misconceived because the intention of the said Section must be the guide in interpreting this section. Also, counsel posed some hypothetical question to the court, to which counsel submitted that the Section 23(a) of the FUT Act applies correctly to the following categories of persons:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> a person who retired as a professor from a University of technology in Nigeria, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">a person must have been a professor for a minimum of 15 years. Some of the years may have been in any university in Nigeria but ended up in a Federal University of Technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">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:"Comic Sans MS"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the person must have put in more than 15 years of service as a Federal Civil Servant continuously in a university in Nigeria but less than 15 years as a Professor and must have retired as a Professor</span><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">in a Federal University of Technology. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel argued that the Claimant in the instant suit does not fit into any of the three categories listed above, which in counsel’s view represents the correct interpretation of the true intention of the drafters of Section 23(a) of the FUT Act. The court was urged by counsel to dismiss the case of the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">COURT’s DECISION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Having heard from the counsel’s to the parties in their final written addresses, I will now determine the case. The issue which in my view is to be determined is whether the Claimant has proved his case as to be entitled to the relief he sought.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">It is the case of the Claimant that he was appointed as a lecturer by the Defendant on 19<sup>th</sup> August 1992. Before his said appointment, he worked as a lecturer in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, for 18 years. The service of the Claimant in this Institute was transferred to the Defendant reckoning from the date of his employment in the Institute. Upon his appointment, the Claimant served the Defendant from 19/8/1992 to 25/5/2007 when he retired as a Professor of Physics. During his employment with the Defendant, he rose to the rank of professor in 2003. Before his employment by the Defendant in 1992, he submitted a circular from the Federal Civil Service Commission to the Defendant which circular contains that the Claimant’s effective date of entry into the Federal Civil Service is 1/1/66. The Senior Assistant Registrar confirmed the transfer of the Claimant’s service to the Defendant in a letter dated 6<sup>th</sup> October 1994 to the Registrar of the Defendant. The Claimant had put in 41 years in service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as at the time of his retirement. The service of the Claimant in Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and in the Defendant was a continuous service without a break. He was therefore entitled to 100% of his total emolument as Pension. The Claimant’s salary and retirement benefits at the point of retirement were computed based on Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS). When the Claimant was due to retire, he received a letter dated 24<sup>th</sup> April 2007 together with a memo from the Registrar to the Vice Chancellor dated 20<sup>th</sup> February 2006. After the Claimant’s retirement was approved by the Vice Chancellor, the Bursary department of the Defendant prepared the Claimant’s retirement benefits. The Bursar, Head of Department and Vice Chancellor approved the computation. Notwithstanding the computation and approvals, the Defendant started to short pay the Claimant his pension. The Claimant complained to the Defendant in his solicitors’ letter dated 6<sup>th</sup> May 2013 and his personal letter dated 10<sup>th</sup> December 2013. The Bursar of the Defendant, in reply to the claimant’s letter, dismissed the claimant’s claims.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In defence of the claim, the Defendant admitted that the service of the Claimant in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu was transferred to the Defendant and the fact that the services of the Claimant in Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and in the Defendant were continuous and without a break. But the Claimant is not entitled to 100% of his total emolument as Professor. Only a Professor who served for 15 years as a professor in a University or whose continuous years of service were all in a University in Nigeria is entitled to 100% of his total annual emolument as pension. The pension sum paid to the Claimant by the Defendant is his legitimate entitlement as pension and not a shortfall payment. The Bursar’s letter to the Claimant dated 7<sup>th</sup> May 2014 is a statement of the statutory position of the Claimant’s pension entitlement. The Claimant was appointed a lecturer in the Defendant in August 1992. In a letter of 29<sup>th</sup> October 1992, the Claimant was informed that his employment was subject to the University Decree and other statutes or regulations made under the Decree. Before his appointment, he had served in a Polytechnic for 18 years. In effect, the Claimant served partly in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu for 18 years and partly in the Defendant for 15 years. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">The claim of the Claimant in this suit is for the sum of <s>N</s>6,174,580.00 being shortfall payment of his pension from 1<sup>st</sup> June 2007 to 31<sup>st</sup> May 2015. The law is clear on the point that the burden of proof of a claim is on the person seeking same. In this case, the Claimant has a duty to establish his claim and failure to do that will result to a dismissal of his claim. See <b>ABUBAKAR vs. JOSEPH (2008) ALL FWLR (Pt.432) 1065; WEST AFRICA COTTON LTD. vs. HARUNA (2008) ALL FWLR (Pt.416) 1942</b>. Upon a careful examination of the claim, it is my view that for him to be entitled to the claim, material facts upon which the claim ought to be considered must be presented before the court. I have examined the facts pleaded by the Claimant as well as the evidence he adduced in his case and I find that he only succeeded in leaving this court in speculation as to how he arrived at the sum he claims from the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In a claim of the nature sought by the Claimant, it is not sufficient for him to merely allege that he was entitled to 100% of his total annual emolument as pension and that the Defendant started to short pay him his pension despite the computation and approvals. The Claimant is expected to plead and prove the basis for the claim, the amount of his total annual emolument, the amount of the pension he was entitled to be paid on monthly basis, what he was being paid monthly, the amount of the monthly shortfalls, and the duration of the shortfalls. It is only when these facts are presented before the court that the court can evaluate and consider the merits of his claim. These very vital and material facts were neither pleaded nor given in the evidence of the Claimant. I do not see how I can order the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of <s>N</s>6,174,580.00 when I have not been satisfied on how the sum accrued.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In his final written address, the Claimant’s counsel argued that the Claimant pleaded documents in support of his case and that since the facts are contained in the documents, there is no need to plead the facts again. I totally disagree with this submission as it does not accord with contemporary principles of law. Merely making the averment in a pleading that a document is pleaded does not satisfy the requirement of the law on pleading. What the law requires is the pleading of the material facts in the document and not pleading of the document itself. This is because the contents of the document are facts and the document embodying the facts is the evidence of those facts. That is to say the party is expected to plead material facts in the document to which the document will serve as the evidence and explain to the court what he wants the court to do with the document. Where the facts in the document are not pleaded, then there is no fact for which the document will serve as evidence. In <b>AGBODIKE vs. ONYEKABA (2001) FWLR (Pt.62) 1915 at 1926</b> it was held that it is the duty of a party who tenders a document to establish before the court in the pleading and evidence its relevance and what it expects the court to do with it. Thus, the factual foundation for the document must be laid in the pleading of a party before a document is tendered in evidence. Again, in <b>RANSOME-KUTI vs. ATTORNEY GENERAL, FEDERATION (2001) FWLR (Pt.80) 1637 at 1695</b>, the Supreme Court held that issues before the court are decided on the pleading of the parties, as such, a party must plead all the material facts which he relies upon in support of his claim. Evidence on material facts not pleaded cannot be considered or will be disregarded by the court. See also <b>ARJAY LTD vs. AIRLINE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT LTD (2003) FWLR (Pt.156) 943 at 968</b>. The result is that since the facts in the documents were not pleaded nor did the Claimant explain to this court in his evidence the relevance or importance of the documents to his case, this court cannot examine them. To do otherwise will amount to this court taking over the prosecution of the Claimant’s case.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">As it is, the Claimant has not pleaded material facts to enable this court determine his claim. The documents he put in evidence cannot be considered as the contents have no foundation in the pleadings. From the foregoing, I find that the Claimant has not been able to establish his claim.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In the written addresses of counsels to the parties, heated arguments were taken on the issue whether the Claimant was qualified for pension under Section 23 of the Federal Universities of Technology Act. Let me observe here that the claim is not to determine whether the Claimant is entitled to pension not. The claim brought before the court is for a specified amount of money which is said by the Claimant to be a shortfall of his pension payment. Therefore, I do not see any necessity to go into the issue of the entitlement of the Claimant to pension under Section 23 of the Federal Universities of Technology Act when the Claimant could not establish the claim he brought before this court. The issue whether the Claimant is entitled to pension under Section 23 of the Federal Universities of Technology Act has become merely academic.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">In the result, I dismiss this case. Parties are to bear their costs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Judgment is entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Hon. Justice O. Y. Anuwe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Judge<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p>