Download PDF
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Emeka Nwankwo Esq. appeared for the Claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mrs AmakaEzeno Esq. appeared with J.U. Anachusi Esq. for the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGMENT</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant commenced this action by way of a Complaint dated and filed on 2<sup>nd</sup> day of March, 2012. Endorsed on the Complaint and the Statement of Facts are the following reliefs sought by the Claimant against the Defendant:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the continuing suspension of the claimant by the defendant is unlawful, illegal, unjust and inhuman.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the dismissal of the claimant from the employment of the defendant as decided by the Governing Council of the said defendant at its 80<sup>th</sup> meeting on Friday, the 4<sup>th</sup> day of March, 2011 is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A declaration that the claimant is entitled to his salaries and the attendant benefits accruable to him as a lecturer or staff of the defendant from 3/3/2006 to the date the claimant is re-absorbed into the defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order of injunction mandating the defendant to reabsorb theclaimant into the services of the defendant with immediate effect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">e.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order of court compelling the defendant to pay all the salaries, allowances and other employment benefits accruable and due to the Claimant from 3/3/2006 to the date I am re-absorbed into the defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">f.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The sum of N500,000,000.00 (five hundred million naira) being special and general damages for his unlawful and illegal suspension and dismissal from the defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upon being served with the processes of the Claimant, the defendant entered appearance dated 16/05/2012 but filed on 17/05/2012, with leave of court, along with Statement of Defence, list of witnesses and copies of documents to be relied on at trial. In paragraph 13 of the said Statement of Defence is a counter-claim against the Claimant as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> 13. WHEREFORE the claimant claims against the defendant as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 144pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">a. An order of the Honourable Court compelling the defendant to return the claimant’s properties in the possession of the defendant inclusive of his University Identity card, examination scripts, results (CEP and Regular) and the keys to the office the defendant occupied when the defendant was a lecturer of the claimant; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 144pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">b. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from entering the premises of the claimant for any reason whatsoever and passing himself off as a lecturer of the claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant subsequently filed a Reply to Statement of Defence and Defence to the Counter-claim on 08/08/2012, with leave of court, along with a written statement on oath of 22 paragraphs. The defendant thereafter sought for and was given leave to call additional witness as well as additional list and copies of documents to be relied on at trial.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Thereafter the case proceeded to hearing. The Claimant gave evidence as CW1 and tendered a total of fourteen (14) exhibits. He was cross examined by the learned defendant’s counsel. The defendant thereafter called three (3) witnesses, DW1, DW2 and DW3. A total of eighteen (18) exhibits were tendered by the defendant. After the conclusion of trial parties filed final written addresses. The learned Defendant’s counsel filed his written address dated 8<sup>th</sup> November, 2016 on the same date. The learned Claimant’s counsel filed his final written address dated 6<sup>th</sup> December, 2016 on 7<sup>th</sup> day of December, 2016. Then the learned Defendant’s counsel filed a reply on points of law dated 13<sup>th</sup> December, 2016 on the same date. Parties adopted their respective final written addresses.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In his final written address, learned counsel for the defendant formulated and argued the following issues:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether relief (a) of the Claimant’s claim relating to his suspension is statute barred?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Claimant from the totality of pleadings and evidence tendered have proved his case on the balance of probabilities to entitle him to judgment in this suit?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Defendant is entitled to judgment to her Counter-claim in view of the pleadings and evidence tendered?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On his part, the learned Claimant’s counsel formulated and argued the following issues for the court’s determination:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the dismissal of the claimant was lawful?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(b)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether relief (a) of the Claimant is statute barred?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having carefully considered the processes filed, the evidence led as well as the arguments and submissions of parties the issues that arise for the court’s determination are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether relief (a) of the Claimant is statute barred?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether from the totality of the pleading and evidence the Claimant has proved his case to entitle him to his reliefs?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether the Defendant has proved its counter-claim to entitle it to judgment?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before going into the issues for determination let me give a brief facts of the case. The Claimant was appointed by the Defendant as an academic staff into its Department of Psychology on 26/05/1994. The said appointment was regularized by a letter of 16/09/1994. He was confirmed on 13/06/1997. That sometime in 2005, one Ukamaka Obianika made a report which the claimant terms unfounded and false against him stating that he was involved in admission racketeering. The said allegation against the Claimant was initially investigated by a panel of Professor Nnabude wherein a prima facie case was established against him and a report submitted to the Management of the Defendant. The claimant was then suspended by a letter dated 2/12/2005 and his case referred to the Governing Council of the Defendant. He responded to the said suspension by writing a letter to the Registrar of the Defendant dated 20/12/2005 wherein he alleged that he was not given fair hearing before the said suspension.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant further averred that the suspension of the Claimant was for a period of three months. However, he was not recalled back to work up to the time he was dismissed by the Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant further averred that on 12/07/2010 the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the Defendant invited him to appear before it on 15/07/010 and 16/07/2010. That Claimant appeared before the said Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the Defendant. The claimant further alleged that the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the Defendant did not give him fair hearing in the hearing of the matter before it. That subsequently the Claimant was dismissed by the Governing Council of the Defendant following the deliberation on the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee submitted to it. This dismissal was carried out at the 80<sup>th</sup> meeting of the Governing Council held on 4/03/2011. He has alleged further that the Governing Council of the Claimant did not follow due process in dismissing him and denied him fair hearing. That the Defendant has not even served him with the letter of dismissal and that he only saw the news of his dismissal in the Bulletin of the Defendant. He thus filed this action to challenge the said suspension and dismissal primarily on the ground that there has been a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On its part, the Defendant averred that the Claimant assumed duty with it on 30/06/1994. That he was upgraded to the rank of Assistant Lecturer on 4/11/1997. The defendant further averred that the Claimant was in the habit of admission racketeering till when luck run out of him when Miss Ukamaka Obianika exposed him. This followed her arrest by Security personnel of the defendant when the Claimant gave her a registration number which conflicted with that of an existing student during the 2003/2004 admission exercise. The then Chief Security Officer of the Defendant reported this incident to the Vice Chancellor of the Defendant. The said Miss Ukamaka Obianika was expelled from the Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant further averred that the Claimant was using one Emeka Okoye for his business of admission racketeering. It stated further that the Professor Nnabude panel sat and invited the claimant and the witnesses, deliberated on same wherein the Claimant presented his own side of the story before it found him liable in its report.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendant further took the step of suspending the claimant at its meeting of 28/11/2004. The case of the claimant was not immediately referred to Council of the Defendant as the said Council was not then constituted. Following the application of the Claimant for recall from suspension, his case was considered by the University Management Committee meeting of 2/03/2009, where the Secretary of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee was directed to forward information on the trial of the claimant; and also further directed that all pending cases be presented to the Governing Council of the Defendant which was just inaugurated. Thereafter the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee invited the Claimant, the HOD of Psychology Department, the Security Officer that handled the case of the Claimant to appear before it. Miss Ukamaka Obianika was invited but she did not appear as she had been dismissed and could not be located. Documents were also forwarded to the said Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee considered the case of the Claimant along with others and made a report to the Management Committee of the Defendant presided over by the Vice Chancellor. The said Management Committee sat on the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee on 17<sup>th</sup> January, 2011 approved the recommendations of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee and on 10/02/2011 the Vice Chancellor informed the decision of the Management Committee and forwarded the Report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee to the Governing Council of the Defendant. That the Governing Council considered the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee at its meeting of 4/03/2011 and found the Claimant guilty of misconduct and decided to dismiss him from its service. That the decision to dismiss him was communicated to him and same was also published in the Bulletin of the Defendant, UNIZIK Bulletin of Vol. 4 No. 16 at page 4 thereof.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant denied all the financial claims of the Claimant and also counter-claimed against him as earlier on reproduced in this judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Back to the issues for determination, the first issue is about whether or not relief (a) of the Claimant relating to his suspension is statute barred. It is the case of the Defendant that the said relief is statute barred. Learned defence counsel stated that the law has been firmly established that when a claimant files his action outside the period allowed in law to file such an action in addressing a legal right that action is barren and not worth the attention of any competent court as the court itself lacks the competence to entertain a worthless suit. That non-compliance with the relevant provision of the statute of limitation leaves the claimant with a bare and empty or hollow cause of action which he cannot enforce. He referred to the cases of <b><i>Egbe vs Adefarasin (1987) 1 NSCC 1 at 17; (No. 2) (1987) 1 NWLR (Pt. 47), Oba Ayeni vs The Attorney-General of Ekiti State and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State & Ors (2002) FWLR (Pt. 119)p. 1781-1784 </i></b>and <b><i>Araka vs Ejegwu (2000) 15 NWLR (Pt. 692) 684.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel continued that a limitation statute begins to run from that moment the cause of action arose. For the purpose of instituting an action in court, time begins to run from the date the cause of action accrues. He added that in <b><i>Emiator vs Nigerian Army (1999) 12 NWLR (Pt. 631) 362 </i></b>the Court held that a cause of action is the entire set of facts or circumstances giving rise to an enforceable claim. It includes all those things necessary to give right of action and every fact which is material to be proved to entitle the claimant to succeed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That “a cause of action is said to be statute barred if in respect of it proceedings cannot be brought because the period laid down by the limitation is determined by looking at the writ of summons and the statement of claim and by comparing that date with the date on which the writ of summons was filed.” Per Suleiman Galadima JSC in the case of <b><i>Ibekwe vs Imo State Education Management Board (2009) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1134) 234.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned counsel submitted that the cause of action of the claimant in relation to the suspension arose on 2/12/2005 and the suit was only filed in the year 2012. That by the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act, section 2(a) thereof, the defendant is protected and cannot be sued since the cause of action had arisen more than three (3) months. He urged the court to hold that the relief is statute barred under provisions of section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On his part the learned counsel for the Claimant opposed the application by asserting that the said relief 2(a) is not statute barred. He argued that the suspension was indefinite even though Exhibit D states that the suspension was just for three months. That the failure of the defendant to respond to the various letters written by the Claimant to the Defendant meant that the suspension extended right up to the time the suit was instituted. That the suspension and the ultimate dismissal are part of the same process and cannot be severed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He submitted that the injury inflicted by the suspension is a continuous one and same had not ceased at the time of the institution of the instant action.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having carefully considered the arguments and submissions of the parties, the question is whether the said relief (a) of the Claimant which seeks a declaration that the suspension of the Claimant was unlawful is statute barred. A suit is said to be statute barred if the Claimant has failed to file his suit within the time stipulated by statute. And once that happens the claimant is said to have an empty and unenforceable cause of action. See <b><i>INEC vs Ogbadibo L.G. & Ors (2015) 7 MJSC p. 81 at 101. </i></b>In the instant case the suspension of the claimant was communicated to the claimant through Exhibit D. The letter says he had been suspended for three months and his case was going to be sent to the Governing Council. However, seven (7) years on the suspension was not stopped and the claimant went through disciplinary process which culminated in his dismissal. The question is since the suspension of the claimant was not lifted up to the time of his dismissal can it really be said that the time within which he should have come to court had elapsed? I do not think so. The suspension continued and it was not lifted. The effect of a suspension is that it is deemed that the suspended employee is in the employment of the employer. See the case of <b><i>Gbadesin vs Wema Bank Plc (2012) 28 NLLR (Pt. 80) p. 274.</i></b> Therefore, the claimant continued to be in the employment of the defendant and his injury in terms of the suspension continued in the case. The claimant thus should be availed of the ‘continuous damage or injury’ in the said section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act, Cap P41, LFN, 2004. See also the case of <b><i>Bello & Ors vs Nigeria Customs Service Board (2015) 53 NLLR (Pt. 179) p. 343 at 425.</i></b>I note that the defendant cited the case of <b><i>University of Calabar Teaching Hospital & Anor vs Juliet Koko Bassey (2008) LPELR-8553 (CA) per Omokri JCA, </i></b>too the effect that an employee under suspension loses all his rights, privileges and powers attached to the employment until he or she is cleared. The point of departure here is that the Claimant’s suspension was not determined one way or another until the termination by dismissal. He was therefore entitled to prosecute his claim over the wrongfulness or otherwise of the said suspension as it cannot be said to statute barred. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the circumstance it is my view which I so hold that the said relief (a) of the Claimant in relation to his suspension in this case is not statute barred.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The second issue is that of whether the Claimant has proved his case going by the pleading and evidence so as to entitle to his reliefs. The case of the Claimant in this suit is simple. He has alleged that the Defendant had not complied with the provisions of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Statute as well as the Conditions of Service of Senior Staff in suspending and terminating him by dismissal.He has equally argued that there has not been compliance with the right to fair hearing guaranteed by section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Starting with the suspension the claimant alluded to Exhibit D which is the letter written and signed by the Vice Chancellor of the Defendant which suspended him for the three months and referred the case to the Governing Council. Although the Claimant denied any wrong doing before the Prof. Nnabude Committee which conducted the preliminary investigation that led to the report to the Vice Chancellor upon which he was suspended, his main grouse there was that he was not give fair hearing by the said Panel. This was because he was not given the opportunity to be present when his accuser Miss Ukamaka Obianika presented her case so as to question her and other witnesses in the case. However, here the defendant has alluded to the fact that he was invited to appear before the said Prof Nnabude Panel and he presented his own side of the story. The Prof Nnabude Panel Report is Exhibit T. Here, the report itself by its terms of reference says it is to<i>“investigate and establish the genuineness or otherwise of the allegation that Mr G.C.E. Obidigbo was engaged in admission racketeering”.</i> This process cannot be said to be a trial of the Claimant as he was just invited in order for the investigation to be conducted. The claim of the Claimant that he was not given fair hearing at this stage cannot be justified as the process enshrined in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act had not yet been activated. The defendant, particularly the Vice Chancellor who had all the powers to suspend the Claimant and refer the case to the Council, was only at this stage trying to see if a prima facie had been made against the Claimant. Therefore the process was basically an investigative one not targeted at the Claimant with clear allegation against him. See here the dictum of Iyizoba, JCA, in <b><i>United Bank For Africa Plc vs Mrs Doreen Nkolika Oranuba (2013) LPELR-20692, </i></b>and relied upon by the learned Defence counsel, to the effect that, the investigative body not being a court of trial, it is just enough once it gives to any of the persons whose names feature in the enquiry the opportunity of making some representations, oral or written, before it. His lordship continued that <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The panel of inquiry not being a court of trial, none of the persons whose names feature in the enquiry can insist on any right to cross-examine other persons who make allegations or present memoranda at the inquiry. But once the panel has concluded its enquiry and makes up its mind that any points had prima facie been made out which point to the fault of any person, the employer must first inform such an employee of the points in the case against him and give him opportunity to refute, explain or contradict them or otherwise exculpate himself by making any representations or defence thereto before the employer can lawfully use those points as bases for dispensing with his services.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">By the provision of section 17(3) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act the Vice Chancellor is expected to form an opinion on whether or not the action of the Claimant was prejudicial to the interest of the University before he could proceed to invoke the power to suspend him. I therefore find here that his claim to lack of fair hearing has not been made out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the issue of Exhibit D, the letter of suspension and what eventually followed, it is quite clear that the Vice Chancellor made up his mind that it was in the interest of the Defendant to suspend the Claimant for the statutory period of three months and then the Governing Council of the Defendant was to take over the disciplinary process. The matter was thus referred to the Governing Council. To the learned Claimant’s counsel, the provisions of Section 17(5) & (6) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act which provides that the decision of the Governing Council in relation to the problem that led to the suspension must be decided upon within three months means that the defendant was in violation since it only decided against the Claimant after five (5) years from the suspension to termination by dismissal. He referred the court to the decision in <b><i>John vs Igbo-Etiti LGA (2013) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1352) p. 1 Ratio 6, </i></b>and <b><i>Corporate Ideal ins. Ltd vs Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd (2014) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1405) p. 165, Ratio 13</i></b>in which the point of the mandatoriness of the word “shall” used in the said Section 17(5) & (6) was canvassed by counsel. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant however, in its pleading and evidence alluded to the fact that the Governing Council of the Defendant was not constituted and therefore the process as stipulated in Section 17(5) could not have been concluded within the stipulated three months period. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having considered the submissions of both parties, it seems to me that the issue of the three months period of suspension within which the trial of the Claimant by the Defendant’s Governing Council must be looked at from the fact that the said Governing Council was not in place to conduct same. This is more of a case of frustration. The decision on the allegations brought against the Claimant could only have been made by the Governing Council. Therefore the absence of the said Council can only but put the Claimant’s case in abeyance. ‘Something cannot be placed on nothing and be expected to stand’ is a celebrated saying of Lord Denning in <b><i>UAC vs Mcfoy. </i></b>The disciplinary proceeding even though activated by the Vice Chancellor, it could not have been concluded without the Governing Council in place. This I so find and hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is the issue of the Claimant’s reliance on Chapter 13, paragraph 7(vii) (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Exhibit E, the Senior Staff Conditions of Service to urge the court to hold that the defendant did not comply with the said provisions. He further argued the issue under the following sub-headings from paragraphs, 4.17-4.26 of the final written address:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> These are:-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue of notice, section 17(1)(a) of the NAU Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Representation in person to the Council, section 17(1)(b) of NAU Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Opportunity to be present and to put questions to witnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Access to a copy of any documentary evidence against the claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant to be informed in writing of the day of his trial and that the issue of his dismissal shall be discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The learned Defence counsel submitted that fair hearing has been given to the Claimant. That the claimant was given notice of allegations against him, which is about the admission racketeering charges, as well as the hearing before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having considered all the evidence before the court, as well as the arguments and submissions of counsel, the key question is whether the claimant has been given fair hearing in terms of the steps which the Conditions of Service stipulate. The defendant’s counsel in his submission maintained that the stated requirements Chapter 13 of the Conditions of Serviceof the Defendant are determinants of fair hearing. He made his case holistically in urging the court to hold that the claimant was fairly tried. However, let me reproduce those requirements of Chapter 13 paragraph 7(vii)(a)-(h) for ease of reference. These are:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(vii) An employee shall not be dismissed in accordance with this regulation until:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(a)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He has been informed in writing of the grounds on which he is being considered for dismissal;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(b)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He has been given an opportunity of making representation to the Council through the appropriate channels of communication;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(c)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The appropriate committee set up by the Council has considered his representation and any accompanying recommendation;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(d)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He has been given the opportunity to be present and to put questions to witnesses when such witnesses is/are testifying for or against him;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(e)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He has previously been supplied with or given access to a copy of any documentary evidence against him;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(f)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He has been informed in writing that on a specific day, the question of his dismissal shall be brought before the appropriate committee of the Council, and that he shall be entitled to call witnesses and that his failure to appear shall not invalidate the proceedings of the committee;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(g)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has investigated into the matter and made a report to the Council which may refer the matter back to the committee for further inquiry or report if it considers that the report should be amplified in any respect or that further inquiry is desirable;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 90pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">(h)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee’s report has been finally accepted by the Council and disposal action taken by it on the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimant’s case is that these requirements have not been met by the Defendant. On the issue of notice of the allegation to be given to the claimant by Council, the DW1 and DW2 referred to the fact that the said written notice was given to the claimant. However, there is nothing before the court to show that the said notice in writing about the allegations of admission of racketeering were given to the Claimant. Even Exhibit S, the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Council of the Defendant dated November, 2010, does not show that any copy of such notice that was given by the Governing Council or that it was issued, received and acknowledged by the Claimant as required both by Section 17(1)(a) and Chapter 13 Paragraph 7(vii) (a) of the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the Defendant. The evidence under cross examination of DW2 that the said notice was served on the claimant has not been substantiated. What is more, in that cross examination DW2 stated that no document or notice containing the allegations were given to the claimant. This is quite contradictory of the said witness and this further weakens the case of the defendant on the issue of the said notice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is also the issue of the requirements in (b) and (c) above which have to do with opportunity to present to the Governing Council the Claimant’s own side of the story through the appropriate channels of communication. The only contact between the Claimant and the Council here is through the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, Exhibit S. Exhibit S as tendered does not show the period when the committee sat as well as details on how the Claimant was given the opportunity to appear and present his case before it. The available evidence before the court establishes the role played by the University Management Committee in terms of activating the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee to proceed with the trial of the Claimant, the receipt of the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee and its consideration before it was forwarded to the Governing by the Vice Chancellor. See Exhibits T1, T2, T3 and T4.In fact Exhibit T3 considered the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee and ‘approved’ the recommendations therein before it was forwarded to the Governing Council that deliberated on it and dismissed the Claimant. The Regulations have not given any role for the Management Committee of the University. There is no such body or organ in the law of the Defendant or in its regulations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) too do not appear at to have been complied with by Defendant. There is nothing placed before the court to show that the Claimant has been given the opportunity to put questions to witnesses, given access to documentary evidence against him and that when the matter was coming up before Council he was notified in writing about his right to appear and call witnesses in support of his position. I have earlier on held that there was no need for the Defendant to allow the Claimant to cross examine witnesses but I have to state that this was in the context Prof. Nnabude’s panel which was essentially an investigatory one for the Vice Chancellor to rom an opinion on whether he should proceed to suspend the Claimant or not. The authority relied upon in that case, namely, <b><i>United Bank For Africa Plc vs Mrs Doreen Nkolika Oranuba (2013), supra, </i></b>has clearly stated that once a prima facie case has been made then the employer has the duty to give opportunity to the Claimant to defend himself. The court held as follows<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But once the panel has concluded its enquiry and makes up its mind that any points had prima facie been made out which point to the fault of any person, the employer must first inform such an employee of the points in the case against him and give him opportunity to refute, explain or contradict them or otherwise exculpate himself by making any representations or defence thereto before the employer can lawfully use those points as bases for dispensing with his services.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Here, therefore, I am of the humble view that the Defendant has not strictly complied with the regulations stipulated in the conditions of service in the manner it handled the case of the Claimant especially as to how he was dismissed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="C86D09F4" style='width:467.25pt;height:643.5pt;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\MBR\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" o:title="C86D09F4"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img width="623" height="858" src="file:///C:/Users/MBR/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" alt="C86D09F4" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>