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THE ordeal of former Oceanic Bank staff identified as Andrew Emekpe started when the bank seconded him to their subsidiary, Oceanic Securities Limited, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
For some years Oceanic Bank now acquired by Ecobank was paying his salaries, while he was seconded to Oceanic Securities Limited until 1998. And in 1999, Oceanic Securities International Limited, who had no contractual agreement with him, started paying his salary until 2010, when he received his Termination of Appointment directly from the Oceanic Securities and not from Oceanic Bank that actually gave him appointment as a full staff.
Andrew was not given any entitlement due to his grade, from his employer, Oceanic Bank International now ECOBank.
He went to the Industrial Court, Ikoyi, Lagos where he got judgement from Justice Amadi that he should be paid the sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira Only) as his compensation.
Despite the fact that the amount was below what he was expecting, he agreed for collection, only for ECOBank to file another case with same Industrial Court. And at the same time appealed against the judgement in June 2016 at the Appeal Court, Lagos, with the Case File Number CA/L/1231/2016 ECOBANK NIGERIA LIMITED AND ANDREW EMEKPE.
Since 2016, the case was only mentioned once without his knowledge on March 26, 2020 and up till now nothing has been heard. All his children have been sent out of school because he could no longer meet up with their school fees.
Since 2020, Andrew told SOJ WORLDWIDE Correspondent that no one was ready to listen to him including the Court HOD/Registrar.
He said he has tried all his possible means to get justice through the Court of Law, all to no avail.
He is now calling on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on ECOBank to settle him.
Full Text Of Ordeal Of Andrew Emekpe With Ecobank:
“I am Andrew Ighotemu Emekpe.
I live in Lagos.
I was employed by Oceanic Bank International Limited (now Ecobank) in March 1993. My appointment was duly confirmed in June 1993.
In 1996, I was seconded to Oceanic Securities International Limited. A newly floated company then. I objected to the move. But I was assured that I was still a staff of Oceanic Bank International Limited. So I moved to Oceanic Securities International Limited.
And my salary was actually paid by Oceanic Bank International Limited up to 1998. But in 1999, Oceanic Securities International Limited, started paying my salary. I objected to that. But all my complaints fell into deaf ears.
However, my appointment with Oceanic Bank International Limited was still intact. It was not terminated. And no new appointment was given to me by Oceanic Securities International Limited.
This situation continued for a very long time, until May 2010, when my appointment was terminated by Oceanic Securities International Limited, who was not my employer.
So, in same May 2010, I took the matter to the National Industrial Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. And in June 2016, judgement was given in my favour, by one Justice Amadi, who, in his wisdom, awarded me the sum of Naira3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira only).
I questioned the rationale behind the judgement. I was asking what that money was meant for. Because with my little knowledge of Labour Laws, I know that it is not lawful for “A” to hire. Only for “B” to fire.
I had wanted to appeal the judgement. But I was counselled to accept it. However, before I knew what was happening, Ecobank, the new owners of Oceanic Bank International Limited went back to National Industrial Court to file a fresh case for Stay of Action. And while we were waiting for the fixed date for hearing, same Ecobank went to Appeal Court, to file an appeal.
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So the the same matter was at the National Industrial Court and at the Appeal Court, all at the same time.
We went back to the National Industrial Court. But nothing significant was presented by Ecobank to warrant our going back to National Industrial Court. The Judge, Justice Amadi, was very angry. And after thoroughly lambasting Ecobank for abuse of Court process, struck out the matter.
Now, at the Appeal Court, the case (CA/L/1231/2016 – ECOBANK NIGERIA LIMITED AND ANDREW EMEKPE), that was filed by Ecobank, in June 2016, had only been mentioned once. That was in March 26, 2020. And even on that date, I was not in Court, because I was not informed by anybody.
I have personally been to Appeal Court, Lagos severally. But no one, including the HOD/Registrar, seems to be ready and willing to listen to me.
I, therefore, decided to bring my matter before all Nigerians. Hoping that someone will will be ready and willing to help me prevail on Ecobank, to settle me.
Thank you, for the anticipated timely interventions.
Andrew Ighotemu Emekpe.
+2348023030533.”
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