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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">REPRESENTATION:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ifeanyi Edemba with him is Tola Ajanna for the claimant<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Uzoma H. Azikiwe with him are Gbenga Ojo, Kayode Omosehin, Adebola Amao (Mrs) Ejike Ikeji-uba, Busayo Balogun (Miss), Olukayode Dada, Adesina A. (Miss), Osoka O. (Miss).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The claimant by his Complaint dated and filed on the 27<sup>th</sup> of January, 2015, claims against the defendants jointly and severally as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo23"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">SPECIAL DAMAGES</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> in the sum of N35,639,810.5 broken down as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> i. N30,000,000 being the retirement payment agreed between the parties, and consequent upon which the claimant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> ii. N2,760 being Leave Transport Allowance for 1993 Outstanding Leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> iii. N25,090.91 Payment in lieu of unutilized 1993 Outstanding Leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> iv. N4,350,000 For Outstanding Executive Training Programmers'<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> v. N1,200,420 for the Early Retirement roofing/ceiling/cement products<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> vi. N61,539.59 being Pension Contribution for November, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> b. <b>GENERAL DAMAGES</b> in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira against the defendants for the stigma, psychological trauma, insult, embarrassment and dishonor visited upon the claimant by the unlawful acts of the defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">c. Cost of this action assessed at the sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) only.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">It is the claimant’s case that until his voluntary retirement on the 10<sup>th</sup> of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">November, 2014, he was an employee of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant as an Executive Director, Marketing. He stated that upon his employment on the 1<sup>st</sup> of February, 1993 as an Assistant Sales Manager, he achieved some feats for the company which includes;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">a. Won the contract for roofing and ceiling of 1,000 unit housing estate per State embarked upon by the Federal Government in 1993/1994 (SLW + SFS): <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">b. Won the contract for roofing and ceiling of Otedola Housing Estate (30 units of houses) and Olushola Housing Estates (40 units), both from the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Lagos State Ministry of Housing in 1994/1995; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">c. Won contract for roofing and ceiling of Mobolaji Johnson Housing Estate (52 units), through the Lagos State Ministry of Housing; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">d. Sales presentation at all key professional forums and seminars on behalf of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">That he was consequently promoted to the position of an Acting Technical manager in 2years 8months of his employment. That between the period of 1995 to 2001 some of his achievements were;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">a. Completed the 500rn x 50m auditorium at Redemption Camp at Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, within the stipulated two (2) weeks thereby fulfilling conditions for future projects; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:115%">b. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Introduced various project implementation forms to be completed by Project Engineers for process improvement and effective project management: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">c. Produced video documentary of roof installation process as a tool for learning, training and skills development; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">d. Introduced and enforced wood joining methods (scalf, mitred joint) for structural stability of wooden roof trusses (international best practice) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">e. Researched on types of woods best suited for roofing carcass and introduced specification to guide 1<sup>st</sup> respondent's project Engineers: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">f. Turned the Technical Services Department into a profit Centre with 25% margin 011 installations: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">g. Introduced tarpaulin underlay for roof installation in Nigeria: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">h. Prepared the Marketing and Technical/Installation content for K7, Crete Tiles, Kings Tiles, SFS (1<sup>st</sup> page), and reviewed existing brochures for S7, SLW, Duke and Duchess Slates and Villa Tiles: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">i. Designed appropriate fixing nails for S7/K7 and SLW/KSLW/LTS. The designed fixing nails were produced in China and introduced into the Nigerian market through claimant’s initiative. The nails are still in desperate demand by carpenter’s years after Nigerite stopped its importation;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">j. Resolved the Villa Tiles roofing problem of CBN Housing Estate at Garki, Abuja, 1996/1997; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">k. Completed the roof installation of Garki Market lock up shops in Abuja with Long Span (Amiantus) FC sheets with high commendation from the customer (FCDA) 1998/99.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">That he was consequently promoted to the position of National Technical Sales Manager and he achieved the following;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Sales growth of “Crete Tile†roofing tiles from 100,000 units in 2001 to 850,000 units per annum by 2007;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contracts for re-roofing of two (2) major markets in Ogun State with K7 and Ultra Span. Contracts were worth N325,000,000, in 2004;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contract for roofing of over 1.5km x 1.5km Church Auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church Campground, with S7 FC sheets. Contract was worth over N600, 000,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Expansion of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent’s distribution network from 3 key distributors and 6 main distributors to 25 main distributors (semi-urban market) and over 75 minor distributors (rural market) for cash cow non-technical brands;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">e.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contracts for roofing of Lagos State Millennium Schools. Contracts were worth N200,000,000; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">f.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Grew Ultra Span from Four (4) containers at introduction Hall 2001 to over 65 containers by 2007, and to its present level of 125 containers: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">g.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contracts for roofing of Faculty of Business Administration Lecture Hall, University of Lagos; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">h.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contract for rooting of Ogun State Television Station, Abeokuta; and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">i.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Won contract for roofing of Ogun State PDP Party Secretariat, Abeokuta. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">He averred that in consequence he was nominated and appointed at the 170<sup>th</sup> Board Meeting of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent held on the 14<sup>th</sup> JANUARY 2008, as Executive Director, Marketing and between 2008 and 2014, some of his achievements are as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Increased 1<sup>st</sup> respondent's turnover by over 160%, from N9.3 billion to N14.8billion: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Introduced and grew sales of the following component solutions/brands: Alurr Shingle (roofing) + PPRD (under roofing), Luxe floor finishing, Gemstone metal roof tiles, Drywall building boards (Plasterboard and Kalsi autoclaved board), metal studs and plaster, Ultralite light steel for roof trusses and integrated building solution: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Reorganized the Sales Department into 3 business units, viz: (i)Rooting and Ceiling, Dry Construction and (iii)Abuja Business Unit; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Embarked on ambitious brand building campaign/product launch on Alurr Shingles to position the brand for the premium market; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">e.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Embarked on integrated marketing communication campaign on Crete Tile roofing tiles to change consumer perception of the brand from being seen as heavy to be perceived as strong; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">f.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">Created "Youth Our Future" initiative, a sustainability/CSR project to raise new generation of Nigerian youths that will perceive the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent's corporate brand as modern and innovative. Under this project, he organized "Green Lagos†-an essay competition on the environment among all secondary schools in Lagos State, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">collaborated with various government technical vocation education boards, for example LASVEB, on installation best practice and training of artisans and technical school graduates; for which the company won many accolades from Government and immeasurable mileage and respect from the public. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;text-indent: -18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">g.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Won contracts from 2 State governments to build 3 primary school complexes using the Drywell system. Contracts are valued at over N500.000.000. Other State governments are equally showing very keen interest;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;text-indent: -18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">h.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Organization of effective customer oriented marketing activities: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">i.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ensuring that all sales contracts are profitable to the company through appropriate pricing policy; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;text-indent: -18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">j.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ensuring effective integrated marketing communication mix for maximum visibility of 1<sup>st</sup> respondent's brands; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;text-indent: -18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">k.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ensuring good relationship with various building/construction related professional bodies such as NIA, NIQS, NIOB. NIESV, FOCI and carpentry associations; and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;text-indent: -18.0pt;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">l.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Stabilizing Net Selling Price (NSP) of cash cow brands (flat sheets) to ensure average margin of 50% and Star brands (Lite Span) at 30%, Ultra Span at 25%. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He stated that he was entitled to annually go on leave and attend executive training programs but the respondents regularly denied him of them citing his strategic position and professions to the daily running of their business. That he was valued by the respondents for faithfully increasing their wealth from N9.3billion to over N14billion until 2012 when the majority shareholder, Etex Group of Belgium sought to unethically seize total control of the Company, contrary to the interests of the Nigerian shareholders. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">That in 2012, Etex Group (through the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent) communicated to Odua Investment Group its intentions as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">To transfer the two (2) Executive Directorship positions allotted to Nigerians (Finance and Marketing) to its expatriate staff. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">To merge all the Etex group companies in Nigeria (Nigerite, Eternit, Emenite and Giwarite) into a single entity to be solely owned and controlled by Etex Group through a Virtual Shared Service Centre Company with its Server based overseas in Belgium. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Odua Investment Group rejected this proposal on the grounds that (a) it is not equitable or fair that there should be no Nigerian Executive Director in the Board, even when Odua Group (Nigerians) has 40% equity and the company is operated in Nigeria; (b) the other Etex companies are not owned solely by Etex and Odua Group but by Etex and other States government aggregations (Eg. Emenite: Etex and South Eastern States, Eternit: Etex and South-South States. Giwarite: Etex and Northern States). Also, running the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent through a Virtual Shared Service Centre will mean running the operations of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent far away from the keen eyes of local stakeholders and government agencies. That consequent to Odua Investment Group rejection and the series of meeting had by Etex, Etex and the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent agreed to drop the proposals. He pleaded that contrary to the agreement the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent and Etex secretly commenced the process of setting-up of the Virtual Shared Service Centre with the intention of solely controlling the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent from Belgium, data access and operation inclusive. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent deceptively presented it at the Board for approval. The Odua Group members saw through the plan and opposed it successfully, remotely control and manipulated all operations and data from Europe to the disadvantage of local shareholders. This means that they can exclusively alter financial, technical correspondence marketing, sales and distribution, logistics, staff personal information database, operational records/data etc. remotely from Belgium. He stated that when the last Finance Director, Mrs. Olaitan Ojutoye (Nigerian) was harassed into retirement in December 2013 (against Board approval of one year contract extension towards transparent recruitment of a worthy successor), rather than appoint a Nigerian to replace her on the Board. Etex nominated an Expatriate, Mr. Philippe Deckers (a Belgian) to the Board. That sensing the tactics employed by Etex and the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent to seize the control of the company, Odua Investment Group demanded for a review of the 1959 Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent. Odua insisted that the Memorandum and Articles of Association were obsolete and that Etex must not go ahead with remote management of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent by virtual means using the vehicle of Shared Service Centre and SAP Platforms. Etex refused onboth counts and insisted that it must be business as usual. That Odua Investment Group refused to approve the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent’s 2014 budget until the Memorandum and Articles of Association are reviewed. That Etex and the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent in their desperate bid to force their way through their position at the Board meetings by all means, directed and demanded a commitment from the Nigerian Executive Directors (the claimant and the then Finance Director, Mrs. Olaitan Ojuroye) to support the Etex position and vote in its favour. That he refused to do to their bidding and which they saw as an affront and purportedly removed him at the Annual General meeting of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent dated 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, 2014. That he was replaced with one Juan G Lugo a Colombian leaving no Nigerian Executive Director on the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent Board.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:91%"> That he met with the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant urging him to correct the error and return him to the Board, but the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant stated he will present the claimant's position to Etex, but he is doubtful if the Board will reinstate him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:91%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:91%">He averred further that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant inquired if in the event he retires, he would be disposed to provide Marketing consultative services to the defendants as will be required, to help sustain ma</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:90%; mso-bidi-language:HE">rket share, in the lace on stiff competition from a new entrant to Fibre Cement business, Purechem Industries Ltd. Claimant agreed to provide Marketing consultative services if he is well treated. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent declared that they (he and the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent) are prepared to pay him Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) in retirement package excluding his other entitlement, in the event he retires. That he tried to put forth the argument that he deserves much more than thirty million offered him with regards to the great achievement he shot the company into with his effort but the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant insisted on the said amount which he eventually agreed to. That i</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">n the meantime, he continued to carry out his duties while Etex’s response on his demand to return to the board is awaited. He redoubled his efforts on his duties; and in consequence, sales at the end of the month of August shot up to 106% of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent’s budget/target. The same trend continued in September, even though the budget for the month was very high. That he waited for two (2) months without hearing from the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent on his demand to be returned to the board. He therefore sought legal advice from his lawyers and he was advised to retire and take the agreed retirement package. He instructed his lawyers to give the defendants a one-month Notice of Early Retirement on the 9<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014. That vide a letter dated 13<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 with reference no AB/FLB/COT/HRD.037/001, the defendants accepted his retirement. That contrary to the agreement between him and the defendants, the contents of the letter dated 13<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 show how the defendants want to shortchange him by not properly computing his entitlement. That vide a letter dated 20<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 his lawyers replied the letter of acceptance of his retirement and informing the defendants of the short change. In response by a letter dated 3<sup>rd</sup> of November, 2014, the defendants stated that it had already terminated the employment of the claimant before he voluntarily retired.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">He pleaded that on 7<sup>th</sup> November 2014, his lawyers wrote the respondents a letter demanding for full payment of his entitlements but the defendants wrote a letter on the 5<sup>th</sup> of November, 2014 purportedly terminating his employment. He continued that contrary to the content of the defendant’s letter dated 3<sup>rd</sup> of November, 2014 the incidence described to have taken place never took place at all. That after the day’s work at about 7.18pm on the 10<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014, he met with the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant and briefed him that he had tendered an early retirement notice and inquired if the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant has received a copy. He denied receiving any copy. That he has decided to exercise the alternative to retire in accordance with their discussion of 1<sup>st</sup> August, 2014. His retirement will be effective on 10<sup>th</sup> November 2014. That at their meeting on 10<sup>th</sup> October 2014, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant did not mention termination letter. That on another meeting on Monday, 13<sup>th</sup> October 2014, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant continued to deny seeing the notice of early retirement letter, and it was not until the Human Resources Manager admitted receiving the letter that the issue was laid finally to rest. That on 28<sup>th</sup> November 2014, the respondents wrote him a letter whereby they advised him that they have paid the sum of N2, 464,088 into his account, being full and final settlement of all obligations. That contrary to the respondents' letter, his due entitlements listed hereunder remain unpaid: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N30million retirement package.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N2,760 being Leave Transport Allowance for 1993 Outstanding Leave<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N25,090.91 Payment in lieu of unutilized 1993 Outstanding Leave<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N4,350,000 For Outstanding Executive Training Programs<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">e.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N1, 200,420 for the Early Retirement roofing/ceiling/cement products.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:54.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo9"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">f.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">N61, 539.59 being Pension Contribution for November, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The claimant during trial testified for himself as CW and he adopted his written statement on oath which is in tandem with his pleadings summarized supra. He tendered documents, admitted and marked as Exhibits TG1-TG16. He stated under cross examination that he obtained all his degree in the course of his employment with the defendants and that his achievements were as a result of his employment. He stated that Etex was the Majority shareholder in the defendant. That he was removed as an Executive Director on the 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, 2014 in the Annual General Meeting. He admitted that after his removal he continued his employment with the defendant. He stated that the agreement between him and the MD to pay the sum of N30,000,000.00 was oral and not written. That his notice of early retirement was signed by him and sent through his Solicitor. He stated that the memo of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant was a forgery and he filed the correct memo. He admitted that the subscribers in both the Memo Exhibits TG12 are the same. He stated that his claim for pension is for the period before 10<sup>th</sup> of November, when his retirement took effect. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">In defence, the defendant pleaded that whatever jobs/assignments that were carried out by the Claimant in the course of his employment with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant were in fact carried out in the normal course of his duty and as part of his obligations as an employee of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, and that for these, he was appropriately remunerated and compensated; and that during the period of his employment, the 1st Defendant adequately equipped him by allowing, and sponsoring him to undertake courses and training amongst which led to his obtaining a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in 1999, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree and Barrister at Law (BL) qualification in 2005 and 2006 respectively. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">That contrary to the averments by the Claimant in his Statement of Facts, the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant's turnover was N11.9 Billion in 2008 and N12.9 Billion in 2014, and that during the same period, the sales volume went down from N19.3Miliion square meters (m2) to N17.5Million square meters(m2). That the introduction of Luxe tiles, Shingles and Gemstone by the Claimant was done without any regard for the basic rules of inventories, thereby leading to overstock. Also, the reorganization of the sales team into three Business Units was actually at the instance of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant's Managing Director and not the Claimant. That the Claimant was not denied his annual leave. That in denial of claimant’s pleading, there was no attempt by anyone to unethically seize total control of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant in 2012; that the shareholders of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant are still the same; and that the Board still has the same number of directors, which is seven for the Etex Group and five for the Odua Group. In response to claimant’s averment the defendant stated that it was the right and prerogative of the Etex Group to nominate its directors whatever their nationality, and that at the Board meeting of 19<sup>th</sup> December 2013, the extension of the contract of the former Finance Director was neither considered nor approved. That the review of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant has never been an item on the agenda of any Annual General Meeting of the Company, or of any meeting of its Board during the period mentioned by the Claimant and the members representing the Odua Group refused to approve the 2014 Budget until the position of the Finance Director (retirement or extension of contract) was decided by the shareholders, and not because of a demand for the review of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant. It traversed that in view of the exceptional and adverse situation created by the blockage of the 2014 Budget of the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant, the Etex group wrote a letter to all its nominated directors, Nigerians and expatriates, on the need to vote to approve the 2014 Budget. The Claimant was not asked to make any commitment but each director was to vote according to his sense of responsibility. It denied the Claimant's assertion that he was removed from the Board of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 3<sup>rd</sup> July, 2014 and states that the Claimant was simply not reÂelected on the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The defendant pleaded further that sometimes in August, 2014, without any official reason, assignment or invitation, the Claimant went into the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant's office to talk about the alleged rumour of future termination of his contract. That there was no discussion about the Claimant retaining the title of Marketing Director,<span style="color:red"> </span>or about his status on the Board of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, or about his salary or remuneration or even offered to pay the Claimant the sum of N30,000,000.00 as retirement package or howsoever. It stated that there was no such obligation in the terms of the contract that subsisted between the parties for such payment and moreso in the year 2010, the Claimant collected his gratuity, which had accrued since he joined the services of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant up to that date, under the Gratuity Scheme of the Company. That </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">on the 10<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014, the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant, as the Managing Director of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, gave the Claimant the letter of termination of his employment contract with the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, but that the Claimant dropped the letter on the pretext that he forgot his reading glasses at home, and left the office. The 2nd Defendant thereafter sent a copy of the letter to both his official and private email addresses. That on Monday, 13<sup>th</sup> October, 2014, the Claimant left a purported letter of early retirement backdated to 9<sup>th</sup> October, 2014 at the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant's gate. That upon further consideration, the Human Resources Department advised that the Claimant be given a soft landing and as such, it was agreed that his early retirement notice be accepted with immediate effect, with benefits such as car (at book value minus 30%) and bonus granted at 100% despite the fact that 2014 was not completed. It denies the averment of claimant with regards to pension contribution for November, 2014 stating that it is not liable for same. That the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant shall contend that this suit discloses no reasonable cause of action against him and/or that he is at best, an agent of a disclosed principal and his joinder as a Defendant is intended to harass, and intimidate him, hence he shall apply that his name be struck out with cost and so with this suit too. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language: HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">The defendants during trial testified through one Ademola Buraimoh. He tendered documents which were admitted and marked as Exhibits AB-AB3. He testified that he is the HR Manager of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant, he stated that after his retirement in 2008, he was called in 2012 to become a full time employee. He stated that he cannot remember, if he was in the meeting between the claimant and the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant in August, 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The claimant in his reply to the defendants’ statement of defence averred that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">that he remained Marketing Director from 14<sup>th</sup> January, 2008 to 10<sup>th</sup> November, 2014, and was addressed so in both internal and external correspondences. No other title was communicated to the claimant; nor was he addressed by any other title till his voluntary retirement on 10<sup>th</sup> Nov, 2014. That his Master of Business Administration (MBA), LL.B, B.L and LLM qualifications were fully self-funded to advance his career, even though the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent benefitted immensely from them. That he did more than the ordinary to obtain the result that the company experienced when he took over as the Marketing Director. For a company that was established in 1959, the turnover as at December, 2007 (48 years after) was only N9, 392,337,642, and sales volume was only 15.7m<sup>2</sup>n. From 2008 when he took over, the Turnover and Sales volumes increased as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l22 level1 lfo11"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Turnover was N11,894,679,863bn, Sales Volume 19.263m m<sup>2</sup>n This was in spite of severe world economic downturn which started with the collapse of American and European economies from December, 2007; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">b. 2009 Turnover was NI2,14l,351,272bn, Sales Volume 18.995m m<sup>2</sup>n. He managed to retain the prices to consumers in spite of severe downward pressure on prices worldwide;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-21.25pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">c. 2010 Turnover was N12, 748,887,489, Sales Volume 19.505m m<sup>2</sup>n (Grew sales back to 2008 sales volume considered as the best ever in the history of the 51 year old company then); <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo24; tab-stops:36.0pt 58.5pt"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2011 Turnover was N14,853,720,725, Sales Volume 20.63Im m<sup>2</sup>n (continuous growth);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:14.2pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">e. 2012 Turnover was N14,094,186,401, Sales Volume - 17.601m m<sup>2</sup>n (there was industrial unrest which resulted in production shut downs, low morale of workers, forced resignation of the then Human Resources Manager (Mr. Ade Adekeye), and the eventual redeployment of the then Managing Director, (Mr. Jean Luc Viator). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">That in </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman",serif">2013 Turnover was N13, 758,002,916bn Sales Volume 17.425m <sup>2</sup>n (Purechem Company Ltd started gaining greater market share using price as a weapon. that having proceeded on early retirement before the year end of 2014, the unimaginable drop of the turnover to NI2\9billion and sales volume to 17.5m m<sup>2</sup>n as averred by the defendants in their joint statement of defence. He pleaded that the respondents' unfair and discriminatory activities finally caused Odua Investment Company Limited to institute Suit No. FHC/L/CP/69/2014. It is currently pending. That it was partly to ensure the absolute secrecy of the Etex agenda that the defendants removed all Nigerian Executive Directors on the board. He averred that that contrary to the defendant's statement of defence, the Memorandum and Articles of Association frontloaded in this suit by the defendants are forgeries. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Particulars </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:109%">of Forgery <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Even though the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant by an ordinary resolution dated 23/01/1990 changed its name from ASBESTOS CEMENT PRODUCTS NIGERIA LIMITED to Nigerite Limited, no resolution (ordinary or otherwise) has ever been passed by the company to alter its Memorandum and /articles of Association, either by way of review or revision in the form as presented by the Respondents. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The claimant hereby pleads and relies on the genuine Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant, duly certified by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The respondents have earlier on the 23rd February, 2015 filed in Court a Memorandum and Article of Association which do not bear any stamp or official mark of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It is hereby pleaded. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Upon complaint from the claimant, the respondents has now filed the instant Memorandum and Article of Association as a certified true copy of the one they earlier filed, even in the face of the material difference. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">e.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As at 1990, when the Memorandum and Articles of Association tiled by the respondents were supposedly "revised", none of the persons listed as members (subscribers) were members/shareholders of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">f.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Memorandum and Articles of Association hereby pleaded by the plaintiff bears the real signatures of the subscribers. The Memorandum and Articles of Association tiled by the defendants were all endorsed in same handwriting for the subscribers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:35.45pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">g.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Plaintiff challenges the defendants to produce any resolution authorizing the alteration of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant's Memorandum and Articles of Association in the form in which they have presented the Memorandum and Articles of Association to this Honourable Court. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He also averred that the Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2014 as filed by the Respondent does not represent what transpired at the meeting of 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Particulars</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> a. The respondents had earlier on the 23rd February, 2015 filed a Minutes of Meeting of 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2014 in this case. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">b. The instant Minutes of Meeting differs materially with the earlier one as it does not reflect what transpired at the meeting and the following is the true account<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-72.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> i. that since his appointment to the board of directors of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant and prior to 3<sup>rd</sup> July, 2014, there has never been any controversy as to retirement, election or reelection of directors. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">ii. That in line with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), whenever Etex Group (as a member of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant) proposes to nominate anyone into the Board, Etex notifies the company of its intention in writing prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or board meeting. The notice also indicates whom the nominee is replacing on the board. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">iii. Such notifications are discussed in the board meeting preceding the AGM. Every director therefore has adequate notice, and can put himself up for re-election at the AGM if he so desires. But such circumstance has never arisen at the AGM because everything was usually sorted out at the board meeting before the AGM. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">iv. Contrary to the provisions of CAMA, Etex did not notify the 1st defendant of its intention to propose the election of any new person into the board at the AGM of 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2014. He was led to believe that he will be re-elected alongside all the other directors. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-16.05pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">v. that he was taken by surprise at the AGM of 3<sup>rd</sup> July 2014, when an Etex director proposed a resolution omitting his name from those being reÂelected while proposing the election of three (3) other expatriate Etex staff into the board. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">vi. he immediately objected to the resolution, informing the meeting that it is unlawful to elect the new directors proposed by Etex without the requisite notice from Etex and a corresponding acceptance notice from the nominee, having been received prior to the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">vii. Immediately he said this, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant shouted him down, informing him that he had no right to give unsolicited advice at the General Meeting. That the General Meeting is for members of the Company. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">viii. But the Odua representatives took his view. And so, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant insisted that the resolution be put to vote, while the Odua members resisted. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent did this because by the number of shares Etex commands, they win on every resolution. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">ix. While the controversy was going on, he asked Chief Oyekunle, the Company Secretary (who was seated right beside him) who the Etex proxy was. And Chief Oyekunle replied that Etex had not yet submitted its proxy form, but that the M.D. (2<sup>nd</sup> defendant) had told him that they will do so after the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">x. he spoke up immediately and informed the meeting that Etex cannot vote at the meeting because it has not submitted any proxy form. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">xi. The 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant became livid, stood up and ordered him to leave the meeting, threatening that if he does not do so immediately, he will invite Security to bodily throw me out of the room. To avoid a scuffle, he left the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;text-indent:-36.0pt;line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">c) All the minutes of meeting being presented by the respondents are not signed by the Secretary who purportedly prepared them. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The defendants on the 31<sup>st</sup> of August, 2016 filled its written address and counsel on their behalf raised a sole issue;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the claimant by his pleadings and evidence have established any liability against the defendants to be entitled to reliefs sought in this case.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:107%"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The defendants raised a preliminary issue, i.e.</span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:107%"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:107%">“Whether the Claimant can validly institute this suit and seek reliefs against the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant, who at all time material to this suit, was an agent of a disclosed principal?"<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel on this preliminary issue submitted that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant, is an agent of a disclosed principal. He stated that from the averments of both parties no reasonable cause of action was disclosed against the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant hence, Claimant cannot validly sue the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant jointly with the 1st Defendant, since he is the Managing Director and at all material times relevant to this suit, acted as an agent of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, who is visibly disclosed in this suit.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> Moreso,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> the reliefs sought by the Claimant in this suit reveals that the Claimant has no claim against the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">He urged the court to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">strike out the name of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant from this suit as Claimant's case cannot succeed against the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant, as it amounts to misjoinder of parties</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">on the sole issue and with regards to whether the claimant is entitled to N30,000,000.00 as retirement benefits, counsel submitted that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">other than the sum of N2,464,088.58 that was paid into his bank account on 4th November, 2014 as his total severance entitlement, the Claimant is not entitled to any other or further sum whatsoever as retirement payment or package. He submitted so because under cross-examination, the Claimant admitted that there was no written agreement between him and the Defendants on his entitlement to the sum of N30,000,000 as retirement payment. That it is trite that whatever fact is admitted needs no further proof, it is deemed established. He cited the case of <b>MOZIE & ORS VS. MBAMALU, & ORS 1 [2006] 12 SCM (PT.1) 306 AT 317. </b>Continuing he submitted that the claimant to show by credible evidence the basis of the claim in the sum. He posited that by claimant’s </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language: HE">solicitor's letter dated 20<sup>th</sup> October 2014 <b>Exhibit TG6 </b>referred to the Claimant's retirement payment/package as <i>"ex-gratia".</i> He stated that it has long been established that an ex <i>gratia </i>payment is only optional and not mandatory by law. He cited in support the case of <b>LASUN & ORS V. WEMA BANK PLC [2012] 26 NLLR (PART 74) P. 218 @ 245 PARAS D </b>- <b>H</b> where he held thus:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">“.... It <b>suffices to say that ex-gratia payment is not obligatory. It is given as favor with no acceptance of any liability. Its payment is not legally required†<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He stated that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">the fact that ex gratia payment (as the name suggests) is at the discretion of the 1st Defendant, the contract between each employee and the employer is separate and distinct. He urged the court to so hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">It is counsel’s further submission on the duty of an employee claiming pension and entitlement that such an employee has the duty to prove same to the satisfaction of the court. He cited the cases of <b>UNION BANK OF NIGERIA LIMITED V. CHUKWUELO CHARLES OGBOH [1995] 2 NWLR (PART 380) PAGE 647,</b> <b>MR. IKECHUKWU OJEH V. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION [2010] FWLR (PT. 542) 1723 AT 1739,</b> where it was held that: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-justify: inter-ideograph;line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">"A party who claims that he is entitled to some benefits for example, pension and/or gratuity after the termination of his employment or appointment must prove that he was a pensionable staff. He must also give basis or good ground for such claim. In the instant case, it was for the appellant at the trial to prove what his terminal benefits were." <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%;tab-stops:58.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Continuing he posited that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">the Claimant has not demonstrated to this court that by virtue of his contract of employment dated 15<sup>th</sup> January 1993 ("Exhibit TG2"), the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant's employee Handbook and the general provisions for Senior Managers, he is entitled to the reliefs sought in this suit, especially the fact that the Defendants have denied liability for the claims.<b> </b>That the law is clear that<b> </b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">pleadings not supported by evidence goes to no issue and is deemed abandoned. See <b>REMALO LTD. V N.B.N LTD. [2003] 16 NWLR (PART 846), PAGE 235 AT 246 PARA A -B.</b> The Claimant having not placed before this Court the contract of employment, employee handbook or any other regulation, policy or directive that sets out what his entitlements ought to be, there is no way the court can determine what should be awarded to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Moreso, counsel contended that vide the 1<sup>st</sup> leg of claimant’s claims he </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">described as special damages must be specifically proven. He cited the case of <b>MARIAM V. UNIVERSITY OF IIORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL MGT. BOARD [2013] 35 NILR PART 103 40 @ 137 PARAS B-C. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">He went on that the claimant </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">merely enumerated the heads of his claims with the particulars of claim and fixed a sum of money for each of the claims. There is no proof whatsoever given by the Claimant as to his claims, therefore, the Claimant is not entitled to any of the reliefs against the Defendants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is counsel’s position that by virtue of its letter dated 13<sup>th</sup> October 2014<b> Exhibit </b>TG6 accepted claimant’s notice of early retirement and listed his entitlement. That the claimant was paid accordingly, this payment he has not denied. Counsel also posited that the Claimant availed himself of the gratuity scheme which was provided for under the condition of service, and collected his accrued gratuity from the inception of his employment in 1993 to 2010. Thereafter, the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant transferred all pension payments from 2011 to date to the Claimant's preferred Pension Fund Administrator. As such, the 1st Defendant is not liable to any such entitlement due to the Claimant as <i>ex-gratia </i>payment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Counsel further posited that the claimant is not entitled to the other claims listed under the 1<sup>st</sup> leg of the Claimant's reliefs for Special damages in the form of;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">ii. =N=2, 760 being Leave Transport Allowance for </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">1993Outstanding Leave <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">iii. =N=25,090.91 payment in lieu of unutilized </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">1993 Outstanding Leave <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">iv. =N=4,350,000 for Outstanding Executive Training Programs <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">v. =N=</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:87%">1,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">200,420 for the Early Retirement roofing/ceiling/cement products <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He stated that with respect to claimant claim for Annual leave and leave transport allowance the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant clearly spelt out the conditions for entitlement to Annual leave and Leave Transport Allowance as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">“Annual Leave: </span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">25 working days after completion of one </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(1) year service including probationary period. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Leave Transport Allowance: <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">12<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub>% annual basic salary payable once in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">a year when proceeding on leave.†<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is the further submission of Counsel that<b> </b>the Claimant was not entitled to payment in lieu of 1993 unutilized leave because he had not completed one year of service. In addition, having not been entitled to 1993 leave, the Claimant is equally not entitled to leave transport allowance since he did not proceed on and was not entitled to 1993 annual leave as claimed.<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">On relief (iv) N4,350,000 for Outstanding Executive Training Programs,<i> </i>he submitted that the issue of training of an employee is solely within the management's prerogative and discretion and not mandatory for every executive member of staff. On this basis, the Claimant cannot lay claim to such entitlement, let alone monetize same, as it is not provided for under his terms of employment. The onus to prove the entitlement to these reliefs is solely on the Claimant and he has failed in this regard. He cited the case of <b>HILARY FARMS LTD. V. M/VN "MAHTRA" [2007] 14 NWLR (PART 1054) 210 AT 236, PARAS. F-H. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">On whether the claimant is entitled to the sum of N500,000,000.00 as exemplary damages, it is counsel’s contention that claimant did not adduce any evidence to support his claim that the Defendants subjected him to stigma, psychological trauma, insult, embarrassment and dishonor. The Claimant failed to tender in evidence any medical report, police report or any other report whatsoever in proof of the alleged trauma and stigma suffered by him. The Claimant has also failed to lay any foundation in his pleadings as it relates to this relief and have not led any evidence to support this relief. He therefore urge the Court to hold that alleged stigma, psychological trauma, insult, embarrassment and dishonor suffered by the Claimant is not a probable consequence of his 'early retirement' or of the acts of the Defendants. Also that, the failure of the Claimant to discharge the evidential burden on him to prove that he is entitled to the heads of claims referred to as special damages under paragraph 1 (i) of the Complaint and the General damages of =N=500,000,000 under paragraph 2 of the Complaint disqualifies him from seeking these reliefs against the Defendants. He urged the court to hold so.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The claimant on the 26<sup>th</sup> of September, 2016 filed his final written address and counsel on his behalf adopted the issue framed by the defendant for the court’s determination viz; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">“Whether the claimant by his pleadings and evidence have established any liability against the defendants to be entitled to reliefs sought in this caseâ€.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:107%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">Before delving into the main issue counsel responded to the defendants’ preliminary issue for determination;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"Whether the Claimant can validly institute the suit and seek the reliefs against the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant, who, at all time material to this suit, was an agent of a disclosed principal')". In response to this, Counsel posited that defence counsel submitted that since there is no reasonable cause of action against the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant, and thus his name should be struck out. He submitted that a cause of action<b> </b>means the totality of facts and circumstances which gives a claimant his right to institute an action. He cited the Supreme Court case of <b>MULIMA </b>V. <b>USMAN [2014] 16 NWLR (PT. 1432) 160 AT 198 PARAGRAPH G, </b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“Now cause of action has been defined by courts to mean a combination of facts and circumstances giving rise to the right to file a claim in court for a remedy," <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:85%"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:85%">He stated that a </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">single suit may also disclose multiple causes of action, jointly and/or severally against named defendants, and any question bordering on non-disclosure of reasonable cause of action is resolved by reference of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant to the claimant's statement of claim. A statement of claim discloses a cause of action in the plaintiff and a legal liability in the defendant if the facts alleged therein <i>ex facie </i>constitute (a) a legal right vested in the plaintiff and (b) a breach or violation of that legal right by the defendant. He stated that the argument that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is merely an agent of a disclosed principal is unsupportable it is not in every instance that an agent of a disclosed principal is exempted from liability. See the Supreme Court pronouncement in <b>COTECNA INT'L LTD V. CHURCHGATE (NIG.) LTD. [2010] 18 NWLR (PT. 1225) AT 346 AT 380 PARAGRAPH G, where the Court held thus-<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“It is not in all situations that an agent will not be liable for the acts of the principal. An agent who has exceeded the limit or bounds of its authority as is alleged in this case, such agent will be liable." <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He submitted that the uncouth acts of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant and the correspondence as in Exhibit TGS and Exhibit TGI0, showing how the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant withheld due payments to the claimant, regularly undermined him and humiliated him before his claimant’s subordinates discloses causes of action directly against the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant and also jointly against him and the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">On the main issue one, it is counsel's contention with regards to claimant’s claim for N30,000,000.00, that he does not see how the claimant admitted the Defendants assertion on the lack of knowledge of any retirement payment of =N=30,000,000.00 to the claimant. It stated that when a party pleads a fact, and the opposite party denies that fact, issues are said to have been joined on the existence of that fact. He cited the case of <b>OGUEJIOFOR V. SIEMENS LTD [2008] 2 NWLR (PT. 1(71) 283 AT 300 PARAGRAPH E. </b>continuing he posited that claimant pleaded his entitlement to the sum of N30,000,000 from the defendants jointly and/or severally based on an offer made by the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant which resulted in an agreement between him and the defendants. The claimant upheld his testimony. There was no contradiction on this point between his evidence in chief and his testimony under cross-examination. It was never his case at any point that the agreement between him and the defendants on August 2014 was reduced into writing. The heavy weather being made by the defendants address on whether the agreement was oral or not in writing is therefore irrelevant, immaterial and of no moment. There is no law that says that the agreement must be reduced into writing. In fact, agreement can even be inferred based on circumstances. He cited the case of <b>S.S. CO. LTD V. AFROPAK (NIGERIA) LTD [2008] 18 NWLR 77 AT 94 PARAGRAPH </b><b>C,</b> where the Supreme Court explained that a "contract of employment means any agreement, whether oral or written, express or implied, whereby one person agrees to employ another as worker and that other person agrees to serve the employer as a worker." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">He stated that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">in-view of the claimant's specific pleadings of the outcome of the meeting between him and the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant himself is the appropriate witness in a position to give any evidence in contradiction or denial of the claimant's pleadings and evidence. But the defendants deliberately did not call the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant to testify. This can only mean that the defendants have something to hide, which can only be detrimental to their case. Counsel with due respect to defendants, stated that the agreement on payment of N30,000,000 as an issue, does not need to be part of the contract of employment to be enforceable and recoverable. The only unenforceable employment related extraneous agreement will arise when the agreement is not made directly between the employer and employee. Like in <b>U.B.N. PLC V. SOARES [2012] 11 NWLR (PT. 1312) 550 AT 568 PARAGRAPH C. </b>Where as in the instant case, the agreement or contract was entered into directly by parties. It is fully intended to be binding and enforceable and any party will be liable for breaching it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">With regards to the defendants' argument that the claimant did not prove the allowances and other emoluments that he also pleaded under the heading of "<b>special damages</b>" because the claimant merely enumerated the heads of his claims with the particulars of claim and fixed a sum of money for each of the claims, submitted that claimant pleaded the particulars and they were part of his evidence adopted via his Statement on Oath of 27th January 2015 which was admitted in evidence as <b>Exhibit TG. </b>He stated that the law is well settled that in proceedings where oral evidence-in-chief is dispensed with by the filing of depositions or statements on oath, proof of facts pleaded is by evidence adduced through witnesses' statements and <i>viva voce </i>examination of witnesses. He cited the case of <b>AGAGU V. MIMIKO [2009] </b>7 <b>NWLR (PT.1140) 342 AT 424 PARAGRAPH E </b><b>AND AREGBESOLA V. OYINLOLA [2011] 9 NWLR (PT.1253) 458 AT 563 PARAGRAPH A. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">He posited that what should concern the defendants more is the insufficiency of their denial of the claimant's claims for special damages as it is clear that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">the defendants' general traverse in paragraph 27 and their evidence are insufficient and only minimal proof is sufficient for the claimant to succeed. He relied on<b> OANDO (NIG.) PIC V. ADIJERE (W.A.) LTD [2013] 15 NWLR (PT.1377) 374 AT 402 TO 403 PARAGRAPH G TO H </b>where the Supreme Court held that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language: HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"The unchallenged evidence without more can constitute proof of special damagesâ€<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Cited also in support of his assertion is the case of ADIM V. N.B.C. LTD. [2010] 9 NWLR (PT. 1200) 543 AT 558 PARAGRAPH </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">F</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The defendants not having failed to put in issue the uncontroverted heads of special damages as pleaded by claimant. Only minimal proof is therefore required of the claimant. As the law is clear that the court is entitled therefore to act on the affected heads of special damages in favour of the claimants. He urged the court to so hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Counsel contrary to the position of the defence counsel with regards to claimant’s claim in the sum of N500,000,000.00 while citing the case of </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">TAYLOR V. OGHENEOVO [2012] 13 NWLR (PT. 1316) 46 AT 66-67 PARAGRAPH </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:113%;mso-bidi-language:HE">F-A where it was held that;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE">"General damages which is the subject matter of this issue are damages which the law implies or presumes to have accrued from the wrong complained of, or as the immediate, direct and proximate result of, or the necessary result of the wrong complained of. A trial court has discretionary power to award general damages, and when exercising such powers, it has the duty to calculate what sum of money will be reasonably awarded in the circumstances of the case It is trite law, that general damages which are losses which flow naturally from the defendant, its quantum therefore need not be pleaded or proved as it is generally presumed by law.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He posited that it becomes very clear from the foregoing that the defendants' arguments on this Issue are misplaced. General damages by nature are intangible and cannot be subjected to strict mathematical computation. The cost of stigma, psychological trauma, insult, embarrassment, and dishonour are incapable or exact calculation. But they have to be compensated for. It is therefore the discretionary duty of the Court to assess and award damages for them, where appropriate. Such damages are general damages. They need not be specifically pleaded or proven. He urged the Court to resolve this issue against the defendants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The defendants in reply on point of law dated 18<sup>th</sup> of October, 2016 posited that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">opposing claimant’s counsel position that the 2<sup>nd</sup>Defendant declared that he and the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant were willing to pay the Claimant the sum of =N=30,000,000 (thirty Million Naira) as ex-gratia retirement benefit and that the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant made him the offer which he accepted submitted that there is no evidence whatsoever before the Court to prove that the 1st Defendant made any offer of such to the Claimant. Therefore, he </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">has failed to discharge the onus placed on him by law to prove that the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant ever held out the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant to negotiate retirement terms with the Claimant that were clearly outside its conditions of service. It is counsel position that contrary to the defence counsel submission that the defendants' general traverse and their evidence are insufficient and only minimal proof is sufficient for the claimant to succeed therefore stated that the burden of proof in the matter rests on the Claimant. The burden will only shift to the Defendant once the Claimant discharges her burden by adducing credible evidence to prove his claim. That with respect to considering the totality of evidence adduced by the Claimant, the Defendants cannot be held liable for unsubstantiated claims for damages. That the allegations of the Claimant in his Statement of Facts were denied by the Defendants in its Amended Statement of Defence. He urged the court to hold so<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Having considered the processes filed in this suit, the documents tendered, and the submission of counsel to both parties in support of their respective case, it is in the light of all these that I frame a sole issue for determination as;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Whether or not the claimant has proven his claims to be so entitled.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">First to consider is the preliminary issue raised by the learned defence counsel, it is the defendants averment that the court should strike out the name of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant as there is no reasonable cause of action disclosed against him and also that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is merely an agent of a disclosed principal that is the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant hence all liability in effect should enure the principal. The claimant arguing in opposition posited that contrary to the defendants averment there is a disclosed reasonable cause of action against the claimant as stated in his statement of facts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style1" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%;background:white;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-bidi-language:HE; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">It is trite that a cause of action constitutes </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">the bundle or aggregate of facts which the law will recognize as giving the plaintiff a substantive right to make the claim for the relief or remedy being sought. Thus, the factual situation on which the plaintiff relies to support his claim must be recognized by law as giving rise to a substantive right capable of being claimed or enforced against the defendant. In other words the factual situation relied upon must constitute the essential ingredients of an enforceable right or claim.<i> </i>See <b>MIL.ADMIN.EKITI STATE V ALADEYELU [2007] 14 NWLR (PT. 1055) 619; YARE V N.S.W & I.C.[2013] 12 NWLR (PT 1367) P173 @ 176. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="style1" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%;background:white;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now the joinder of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant by the claimant as revealed by claimant’s statement of claim is that there were aggregate of facts giving rise to a substantive right to make his claim. The aggregate of fact in this case are as stated in claimant’s paragraphs 27 and 28 of his statement of fact. For ease of reference I reproduce same viz;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style1" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%;background:white;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“27. that the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent replied that due to my contributions and abilities, he would rather have me working for the respondents than have me retire but that it is doubtful if Etex will reconsider my returning back to the board. Nevertheless, he 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent will present my position to Etex. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent inquired if in the event I retire, I would be disposed to provide marketing consultative services to the respondents as will be required<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="style1" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%;background:white;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">28. that I agreed to provide Consultative services if I am well treated. Whereupon the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent declared that they (he and the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent) are prepared to pay me Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000.00) in retirement package excluding my other entitlements in the event I retire because Etex refuse to reinstate me to the boardâ€<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The two paragraphs captured averments above reveals the basis of his claim, which is to the effect that there was an agreement between him and the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant to pay him N30,000,000.00 retirement package. It is the failure of the 2nd defendant to make do his alleged promise that gave rise to his claim in the sum of N30,000,000.00, giving rise to a cause of complaint by the claimant and the court has a duty to determine same. It is also correct to hold the view that the 2nd defendant acted as an agent of the 1st defendant when as the Managing Director of the 1st defendant he promised the claimant that he would discuss with the Board of the 1st defendant and will pay him the alleged sum of N30,000,000.00. It is therefore, obvious from the above highlighted averments in the claimant's statement of claim that there is a cause of action against the 2nd defendant, it is in consequence, that I find that the claimant's claim has disclosed a reasonable cause of action against the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant and thus discountenance argument of the defendants and hold that the 2nd defendant is a relevant party in this case and remained so. Whether or not the 2nd defendant is liable for any of his actions whilst in the 1st defendant's employment is to be addressed in this judgment hereunder.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">On the main issue, it is the claimant’s case that until his voluntary retirement on the 10<sup>th</sup> of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman",serif">November, 2014, he was an employee of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant in the position of an Executive Director, Marketing of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent. That by virtue of his hard work and dedication he was promoted severally at different times and through his position achieved a lot for the company moving the company to greater height. He averred that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">Etex and the 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent in their desperate bid to force their way through their position at the board meetings by all means, directed and demanded a commitment from the Nigerian Executive Directors (the claimant and the then Finance Director, Mrs. Olaitan Ojuroye) to support the Etex position and vote in its favour. That he refused to do their bidding which they saw as an affront and purportedly removed him at the Annual General meeting of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent dated 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, 2014. That he was replaced with one Juan G Lugo a Colombian leaving no Nigerian Executive Director on the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent Board.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-font-width:91%"> That he met with the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant urging him to correct the error and return him to the Board, but the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant stated he will present the claimant's position to Etex, but he is doubtful if the Board will reinstate him. He stated that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant inquired if in the event he retires, he would be disposed to providing Marketing consultative services to the defendants as will be required, to help sustain ma</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:90%;mso-bidi-language:HE">rket share. Claimant agreed to provide Marketing consultative services if he is well treated. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent declared that they (he and the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent) are prepared to pay him Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) in retirement package excluding his other entitlement, in the event he retires. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-language:HE">He therefore sought legal advice from his lawyers and he was advised to retire and take the agreed retirement package. He instructed his lawyers to give the defendants a one-month Notice of Early Retirement on the 9<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014. That vide a letter dated 13<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 with reference no AB/FLB/COT/HRD.037/001, the defendants accepted his retirement.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:91%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The defendants on the other hand averred that sometimes in August, 2014, without any official reason, assignment or invitation, the Claimant went into the 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendant's office to talk about an alleged rumour of future termination of his contract. The defendants denied that there was no discussion about the Claimant retaining the title of Marketing Director, or about his status on the Board of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant, or about his salary or remuneration or even offered to pay the Claimant the sum of N30 million as retirement package or howsoever. It stated that there was no such obligation in the terms of the contract that subsisted between the parties for such payment and moreso in the year 2010, the Claimant collected his gratuity, which had accrued since he joined the services of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant up to that date, under the Gratuity Scheme of the Company.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style="margin-top:15.6pt;margin-right:.9pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">It is the law of common that every employer reserves the right to 'hire and fire', every employee also has the corresponding right to accept appointment and to opt out of it at will, provided each complies with the laid down rules relating to necessary notices to be served on the other and pursuant to any existing contract between them. See <b>APROFIM ENGINEERING CONST. NIG LTD. V. JACQUES BIGOURET & ANOR. [2012] FWLR (PT.622) 1740. </b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">It is also trite that every employee has the right to resign/retire from his appointment whenever he so desires. The resignation /retirement is effective in law even when the employer does not expressly accept it. There is also no need for the employer to reply to the letter of retirement/resignation before it becomes effective. See <b>OSU V. P.A.N. LTD [2001] 13 NWLR (PT. 731) 627 CA, </b>and the English case of <b>HORWOOD V. LINCOINSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL [2012] UKEAT 0462/11. In WAEC V. OSHIONEBO[2006]12NWLR (PT.1994) 258CA; </b>the court distinguished between notice of resignation and notice of retirement. It held that tendering of a letter of resignation by an employee carries with it the right to leave the service automatically without any benefit subject to his paying any of his indebtedness to his employer. While giving a notice of retirement carries with it the right to be paid a pension or gratuity, but it does not confer the right to withdraw from employment immediately and automatically. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The claimant by Exhibit TG6 dated the 9<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 notified the defendants of his intention to retire early effective from the 10<sup>th</sup> of November, 2014. The 1st defendant in acknowledgment of claimant’s retirement notice accepted same vide a letter dated 13<sup>th</sup> of October, 2014 intimating him of what his entitlement would be as per claimant's contract of service. However, it is the claimant's contention that there was an agreement between him and the 2nd defendant to be paid N30,000,000.00 as an ex gratia payment. The claimant feeling shortchanged that the 2nd defendant failed to pay the purported sum of N30,000,000, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant made him believe that would be his retirement package in the event that he retires, wrote the defendants through his solicitors demanding his ex-gratia payment as it is the norm. The 1st defendant by a letter dated 3<sup>rd</sup> of November, 2014 informed the claimant’s counsel that ex-gratia payment is purely a Management decision and is not a matter for negotiation between an employer and employee. And moreso, the claimant in the year 2010 had collected his gratuity that had accrued from the inception of his employment. In the circumstances of this case, can a verbal undertaking confer an entitlement enforceable by the claimant. It is evident in exhibit JG6, which comprises of communications between the claimant and the 1st defendant vide claimant's counsel, that the claimant wrote his letter of notice of early retirement vide his lawyer, i.e. Ani & Edemba; this in my respectful view, is strange as correctly observed by the 1st defendant vide its letter dated 3rd November, 2014. That an employee who allegedly contributed so much to the development of the company would tender a retirement letter through his lawyer who was not a party to his contractual relationship with the defendant. This to say the least is suspect and also lends credence to the contention of the 1st defendant that the claimant was actually sacked on the 10th of October vide a termination letter which was issued to him by the 2nd defendant but he refused to accept it alleging that he could not read it because he was not with his eye glasses, hence he refused to collect it. The 1st defendant continued that, it sent same vide the claimant's official and personal Email addresses. That it was surprising to it that the claimant's letter of early retirement written by his lawyer bore a date preceding the date it wrote his termination letter and that contrary to the claimant's claim the letter was dropped at the gate of its premises on the 13th October 2014. It is also obvious from the communication between the claimant's counsel and the 1st defendant that the 1st defendant listed all that the claimant is entitled to and never agreed that he is to be paid an ex gratia sum. Interestingly, it was the claimant that raised it in his letter of early retirement and mentioned two staff who were given similar favour. The 1st defendant in its letter to the claimant's counsel equally expressed its decision on the claimant's request for payment of ex gratia, it stated that <b>''...is purely a management decision and is not a matter for negotiation between an Employer and an Employee...''</b> That the term ex gratia which is a favour is at the prerogative of management. It went ahead to state that what is in its condition of service is payment of gratuity. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is the law that he who asserts the existence of a fact must by credible evidence substantiate same. See Section 131 of the Evidence Act, 2011. The claimant in this case merely pleaded that the 2nd defendant agreed to pay him N30,000,000.00, without more. He neither canvassed nor adduced evidence to substantiate his claim. The claimant under cross-examination admitted that the agreement to pay him the purported sum was made oral and not in writing. It is correct as it is trite law that agreement need not be in writing to be enforceable, it may be oral or implied, or may be inferred from the conduct of the parties. See the case of <b>TRADE BANK PLC V DELE MORENIKEJI (NIG) LTD [2005] 6 NWLR (PT 921)309. AUTOCLENZ LTD V. BELCHER &ORS [2011] LPELR -17791(UKSC); </b>where the English court held that<b> ''<span class="apple-style-span">... Express contracts (as opposed to those implied from conduct) can be oral, in writing or a mixture of both. Where the terms are put in writing by the parties and it is not alleged that there are any additional oral terms to it, then those written terms will, at least prima facie represent the whole of the parties' agreement''.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> The scenario in this case is that there exists a contract of service agreement between the claimant and the 1st defendant at the inception of the contract which regulates their relationship. However, the claimant's contention is that on resignation, the 2nd defendant made an oral agreement with him to the effect that the 1st defendant will pay him an ex gratia sum of N30,000,000.00. The defendant has vehemently denied this oral agreement. Now the germane question to answer is can it be inferred from the circumstances of this case that the defendants did infact agree to pay the claimant an ex gratia sum of N30,000,000.00? Assuming that the defendant actually orally agreed to pay the claimant the alleged sum, does the 2nd defendant has the power and authority of the defendant to make such an agreement secondly, is an ex gratia payment mandatory? In </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>P.A.N. v. OJE (1997) (supra),</b> the court considered the meaning of the word 'ex gratia' and held that, it is <b>''Latin word which connotes something given out of grace, favour, indulgence or gratuitous. Henry Campbell Black, author of Black's Law Dictionary defines it as a "term applied to anything accorded as a favour; as distinguished from that which may be demanded ex debito, a matter of right."</b> <b>So it follows that ex-gratia payment being claimed by the respondents, is a payment by one who recognizes no legal obligation to pay." </b>Per MOHAMMED, J.C.A. (P. 17, paras. A-C).</span> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Now, in answering the questions posed supra, it is the law that acts or actions of agent of a disclosed principal are binding on his principal, thus applying this legal long settled principle of law to this instance case means that the acts or actions of the 2nd defendant binds the 1st defendant. Howbeit, it could be inferred from the facts before the court as stated by the claimant that the 2nd defendant if at all he discussed the issue with the claimant, at best promised the claimant to make a presentation or recommendation to the Board of the 1st defendant for him to be paid an ex gratia sum of N30,000,000.00. Assuming but not conceding to the fact that the 2nd defendant agreed to pay the claimant the alleged sum of N30,000,000.00, is the 1st defendant bound to pay the claimant the alleged sum of N30,000,000.00. Ex gratia as evinced in the OJE's case supra and (subsequent case law authorities), connotes something given out of grace, favour or gratuitious as opposed to something given ex debito. In other words at best the sum of N30,000,000.00 alleged agreed to be paid to the claimant is at the grace or favour of the 1st defendant and not mandatory or a sum that could be demanded as of right. It is equally my finding that there is nothing on record by way of evidence or an inference from the conduct of the parties as to the fact that there was an actual agreement of the sum of N30,000,000.000 as stated earlier in this judgment. The claimant has failed to canvass credible evidence to prove that past employees of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant who had retired before him were paid similar packages. All he did was to mention names of two persons who he alleged were paid similar packages, but failed to tender any document or call either of them to testify in support of his claim. That I must say, is fatal to the success of his claim. It is the law that pleadings without evidence to prove the facts averred is of no use in settling a dispute one way or the other. Pleadings require evidence to be of any help to the parties and the court of trial. See the case of <b>CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA AND 6 ORS V AITE OKOJIE [2015] 14 NWLR (PT.1479)231. </b>This is so, because courts are not magicians or mind readers to affirm that there was indeed an agreement by the defendants to pay the claimant the alleged sum of N30,000,000.00 as contended by the claimant in this case. It is inconceivable in the circumstances of this case that a relationship that has always been regulated by a written contractual agreement would in relation to this germane issue of terminal / parting package be made orally. It is a basic principle of law that oral evidence/agreement cannot vary the content of a written document, ditto contractual agreement. It is so apparent by series of correspondence between the claimant vide his counsel and the defendant that the relationship between the claimant and the 1st defendant had gone sour and would thus be difficult to conceive that the 1st defendant would grant such a gratuitous favour to the claimant. The onus of proving that the defendants agreed to pay him that sum of money rests on the claimant, the onus of which he has failed to discharge before this court. It is in consequence, that I find and hold that the claimant's claim for N30,000,000.00 from the 1st and 2nd defendants fail and thus discountenanced. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Next is the claimant's claim for the sum of N2,760 being Leave Transport Allowance for 1993 Outstanding Leave and N25,090.91 Payment in lieu of unutilized 1993 Outstanding Leave. It is the law which has gained notoriety that in the realm of master servant relationship as in this case, the contract of service is the foundation/ bedrock upon which an aggrieved employee must found his case. See the cases of <b>AKINFE V UBA [2007] 10 NWLR (PT 1041) 185; MR ANAJA V UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC [2014] 4 ACELR 78. </b>The claimant has tendered exhibit TG2 which is his offer of employment letter dated 15<sup>th</sup> of January, 1993. The letter states with respect to claimant claims of his annual leave and leave transport as follows, I reproduce same below;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“Annual leave:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">25 working days after completion of one year service including probationary period.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Leave Transport Allowance:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">121/2% annual basic salary once in a year when proceeding on leave.â€<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is obvious from the above highlighted provisions of Exhibit TG2 that claimant is not entitled to his annual leave for the year 1993. I say so in the light of the wordings of his employment letter Exhibit TG2 which provides that claimant would be entitled to his annual leave of about 25 working days on the completion of one year and by one year it means 14<sup>th</sup> of January, 1994. The claimant is to prove to this court by cogent and credible evidence that he was entitled to it, and that he did not utilise it and was not paid. He has however, failed to prove this. The 1st defendant on its part denied this claim and agreed to pay his 2014, 13 days leave. I find that claimant has failed to substantiate his claim for 1993 leave and therefore, hold that he is not entitled to his claim for 1993 leave. I so hold. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">With regards to his leave transport allowance having stated that claimant is not entitled to his annual leave he would not be entitled to his leave Transport allowance because the leave transport allowance is tied to his annual leave. On this basis I equally discountenance same. Moreso it is noteworthy that this claims by claimant were not pleaded in his averment. It is trite that the court cannot grant a relief not prayed for as the court is not a charitable organization that dishes out gifts. It is in the light of this that I find and hold claimant's claim for N2,760 and N25,090.91 fail. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">With respect to claimant’s reliefs sought in the sum of N4,350,000 as Outstanding Executive Training Programs, N1,200,420 for the Early Retirement roofing/ceiling/cement products and N61,539.59 being Pension Contribution for November, 2014. Claimant averred that he was entitled to annually go on leave and executive training programs but the respondents regularly denied him of them citing his strategic position and professions to the daily running of their business. The 1st defendant on the other hand averred that claimant was not denied his leave and executive training programs because they fully allowed him to undertake the qualifications that he obtained while in the employ of the 1st defendant. Claimant under cross examination also admitted that he obtained all his degree including his LLB(HONS) BL and MBA whilst in the 1st defendant's employ. Defendant denied liability for all these claims except, claimant's claim for his pension contribution for November, 2014. The import of which is that the 1st defendant is bound to pay the sum of N61,539.59 as claimant's November, 2014 contribution to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:120%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:120%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">It is the law as reiterated that in civil matter, a party who asserts must prove same on the balance of probabilities. Now the claimant is claiming the sum of N4,350,000, N1,200,420 and N61,539.59 for Outstanding Executive Training Programs, for the Early Retirement roofing/ceiling/cement products and Pension Contribution for November, 2014. However, by the record of the court there exist no credible evidence in support of all these reliefs except his Pension contribution admitted by the 1st defendant at paragraph 25 of their Joint amended statement of defence. Given the trite position of the law, that facts admitted need no further prove. As regards the other reliefs, the law precludes the court from embarking on a voyage of discoveries fishing for evidence not adduced before it or making a conjecture. The court relies on evidence produced on record by a party seeking for a relief in arriving at its decision, the absence of which lives the court with no option than to discountenance such claim(s). It is in the absence of evidence in prove of claimant's claims stated supra except his November, 2014 Pension, that I find and hold that all claimant's <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:120%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:120%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:120%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:120%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">claims except one fail. Consequently, the 1st defendant is to pay the claimant the sum of N61,539.59 as his November, 2014 Pension contribution. I so hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As regards the claimant's claim for general damages in the sum of N5,000,000 and cost in sum of N5, 000,000.00 respectively. It is the law that damages is the consequence of an act complained of or any loss suffered by the claimant and it is also awarded at the discretion of the court considering the surrounding circumstances of a case. In this instant case, the claimant has not shown the court the extent of which the acts of the defendants if any caused him stigma, psychological trauma, insult, embarrassment and dishonor as claimed. They did not determine his contract, rather he did according to him. I therefore, find that he has thus failed to show that he is entitled to any damages. With respect to cost, the law is trite that cost follows event and a successful litigant is entitled to cost. The court must thus take into consideration in awarding cost the peculiar circumstances of the case in arriving at a just decision on the award of cost. However, the reverse is the case in this suit as claimant, except as regards his November 2014 Pension, woefully failed to prove his reliefs as claimed and thus not entitled to damages. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%">On the whole, I find and hold that claimant’s claims 1,2, 3, and 4 failed and are all dismissed, except his claim for November, 2014 Pension, for which the claimant is to be paid the sum of N61,539.59 by the 1st defendant within 14days of this judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%">I make no order as to cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%">Judgment is entered accordingly<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">HON. JUSTICE OYEWUMI OYEJOJU</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-font-width:106%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman",serif">PRESIDING JUDGE</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" width="760" style="width:570.0pt;mso-cellspacing:0cm;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184; mso-table-lspace:9.0pt;margin-left:6.75pt;mso-table-rspace:9.0pt;margin-right: 6.75pt;mso-table-anchor-vertical:paragraph;mso-table-anchor-horizontal:page; mso-table-left:39.7pt;mso-table-top:-2.25pt;mso-padding-alt:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt"> <tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;height:.75pt"> <td style="background:#E0E6FC;padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt;height:.75pt"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph; line-height:115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>