JULIAN ERIC APPIAH vs. COCOA PROCESSING COMPANY LTD [2013]DLHC5526

Date	2013-02-14
Suit No.	SUIT NO: BC 127/2007
Citation No.	[2013]DLHC5526

JUSTICE KWABENA ASUMAN-ADU

KWAME ADUABENG YANKYERA ESQ. FOR THE PLAINTIFF

RICHARD AKPOKAVIE ESQ. FOR THE DEFENDANT

[2013]DLHC5526
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >JULIAN ERIC APPIAH
<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>COCOA PROCESSING COMPANY LTD <o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT)<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT (INDUSTRIAL/LABOUR DIVISION), ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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SUIT NO: BC 127/2007&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: 14TH FEBRUARY,
2013<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&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; <o:p></o:p>KWAME
ADUABENG YANKYERA ESQ. FOR THE PLAINTIFF<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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RICHARD AKPOKAVIE ESQ. FOR THE
DEFENDANT&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM: <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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JUSTICE KWABENA ASUMAN-ADU<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>At all
material times to this suit, Plaintiff was in the employment of the Defendant
as a senior Security Guard, having been employed by the Defendant on 20th
January, 1992. Per a letter dated 8th November, 2004, Plaintiff’s
employment was terminated by the Defendant for sending a text message to a
local radio station, Adom FM, which was read on air, alleging that a Senior
Security Officer had not gone on leave for eight (8) years. A committee of
enquiry was set up by management to investigate the allegation. At the
committee sitting, the Plaintiff allegedly admitted having sent a text on the
allegation to the radio station. The committee made a finding that by going to
the press with his concerns without approval from management the Plaintiff had
misconducted himself, contrary to the provisions of the Collective Agreement.
Management accordingly terminated his appointment with immediate effect with
payment of one (1) month’s salary in lieu of notice.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
Plaintiff being aggrieved with the termination of his appointment by the
Defendant commenced the instant action against the Defendant by filing a writ
of summons together with a statement of claim on 6th December, 2006.
However, pursuant to leave granted by this court on 11th May, 2010,
the Plaintiff filed an amended writ of summons and a statement of claim on 17th
May, 2010 for the following reliefs:<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>(a)&nbsp;&nbsp; A
declaration that the dismissal of Plaintiff by management as per a letter dated
8th November, 2004 and referenced CPC/HRD/31 is wrongful and
unlawful.<o:p></o:p>(b)&nbsp;&nbsp; An order
for the reinstatement of Plaintiff with his full benefits including accumulated
salaries paid to him. Or<o:p></o:p>(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the
alternative damages for wrongful dismissal.<o:p></o:p>(d)&nbsp; An order
directed against the Defendant to join the leaders of the workers union to
convey a building plot al</main>