BODE RHODES-VIVOUR, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The facts are rather straightforward. The Appellant was a senior employee of the Respondent Bank. On the 11th day of August 1987 he was put on suspension, and on the 30th day of October 1987 his appointment was terminated.
Aggrieved by the situation, he sued the respondent at the Lagos High Court. He sought a declaration that the decision to terminate his employment was unlawful, null, and void as it offends the Rule of Natural Justice. He also claimed his entitlements and general damages in the sum of ₦100,000 against the respondent bank. The Writ of Summons and statement of claim were filled in the Registry of the Lagos High Court on the 7th day of July 1988. The suit was before Fafiade J (as she then was). Pending before the learned trial judge was a Motion to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction. Reliance was placed on Section 3(3) of Decree No. 17 of 1984.
On the 14th of April 1989 the learned trial judge ruled th…