S. N. K. NUNOOFIO vs. FARMERS SERVICES COMPANY [2001]DLCA6944

Date	2001-02-20
Suit No.	CIVIL APPEAL NO. 33/2001
Citation No.	[2001]DLCA6944

ARYEETEY J.A. (PRESIDING)

TWENEBOAH-KODUAH J.A.

QUAYE J.A

MR. THADDEUS SORY FOR DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS

MR. PHILIP ADDISON WITH MR. KWAKU ASIRIFI FOR PLAINTIFF/ RESPONDENT

[2001]DLCA6944
																																						<div class="restriction-wrapper">
														<div class="container-lg">
															<div class="row">
																<div class="col-md-12 restricted-content">
																	<div class="restricted-content-img-wrapper">
																		<div class="lock-icon bounce-7">
																			<img class=""
																				src="https://www.dennislawgh.com/dl-assets/dl-images/lock-content.png"
																				alt="Subscription based content">
																		</div>
																	</div>
																	 
																		<a href="https://www.dennislawgh.com/login"
																		class="btn btn-primary btn-lg"
																		style="font-family: 'open sans'; text-transform: capitalize; border-radius: 8px"> 
																		Login to Read Full Case </a>
																	 
																	
																</div>
															</div>
														</div>
													</div>
													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >S. N. K. NUNOOFIO<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>FARMERS SERVICES COMPANY<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS)<o:p></o:p>[COURT
OF APPEAL, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>CIVIL
APPEAL NO. 33/2001 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DATE: 20TH FEBRUARY 2001<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-right:none;
padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
115%;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:
solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
115%;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:
solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">MR.
THADDEUS SORY FOR DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS<o:p></o:p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
115%;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:
solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">&nbsp;MR. PHILIP ADDISON WITH MR. KWAKU ASIRIFI FOR
PLAINTIFF/ RESPONDENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM: <o:p></o:p>ARYEETEY
J.A. (PRESIDING), TWENEBOAH-KODUAH J.A., QUAYE J.A.<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-right:none;
padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;line-height:115%;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>&nbsp;ARYEETEY, J.A.:<o:p></o:p>A
background to this appeal is as follows: In December 1986 the
plaintiff/respondent was employed as Commercial Manager of the
defendant/appellant company and his appointment was confirmed exactly a year
later. However by letter dated 21st February 1997 the company demoted him to
the rank of Area Commercial Officer. The matter did not end there. On 5th
January 1998 the defendant/appellant company by its Chairman of Board of
Directors wrote a letter, exhibit C to the plaintiff/respondent terminating his
appointment. I would quote exhibit C in full. It reads:<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;“Dear sir, <o:p></o:p>TERMINATION
OF APPOINTMENT<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;This is to inform you that your services with
the company will no more be needed and consequently your appointment with the
company is terminated with effect from 15th January 1998. The decision to
terminate your appointment is being taken to safeguard the interest of the
company by ensuring its smooth and unfettered operations.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;The Board has observed that:<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;(1) Since your inability to get the position
of Managing Director, which you vied for, with the present Managing Director
you see every action taken by him as aimed at victimising you.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;(2) You Find it impossible to work under the
general manager who in your own claim has been your subordinate officer for the
last 10 years and who has suddenly been ‘promoted' over and above you. Refer
your letter dated 24th February 1997.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;(3) Your demotion to Area Commercial officer
arising from poor performance is seen by you as the work of the Managing
Director, as a result of which you are not prepared to take instructions from
him or the General Manager.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;The policy of the company is to derive optimum
performance from its employees but it is sad to note that since the interviews
you appear to be frustrated and instead of putting in your best you are rather
sabotaging the efforts of the new management team. This cannot be accepted. <o:p></o:p>Further
the Board has observed that in taking issue with the company in the recent past
in certain quarters and with some persons over purely company internal matters
you are in serious breach of the established code of conduct. <o:p></o:p>In
accordance with section 63 therefore of the Senior Staff Conditions of Service,
your appointment with the company is terminated. The Accounts Manager is hereby
advised to pay you 2 months salary in lieu of notice and to pay you all
entitlements due you in accordance with the Senior Staff Conditions of Service.
Any indebtedness owed the company will similarly be deducted from your
entitlements.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;Thank you for your services over the years.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;Yours faithfully <o:p></o:p>For
FASCOM (U.R.) LIMITED<o:p></o:p>J.
I. ODZEYEM<o:p></o:p>CHAIRMAN<o:p></o:p>BOARD
OF DIRECTORS”<o:p></o:p>Not
satisfied with this the respondent brought an action in the High Court asking
for the following reliefs: <o:p></o:p>