Ex-manager slams N10 million suit against Access bank

A former bank manager with Access Bank, Mr John Onaja, has sued the bank for wrongful termination of his appointment, demanding N10 million for general damages.
In the suit filed before the National Industrial Court, Abuja, the claimant is seeking an order declaring his dismissal illegal and his re-instatement.
He is also seeking the order of the court that N1.6 million should be paid to him by the bank as cost of prosecuting the action.
Onaja, a former manager at Maraba Branch of the bank in Nasarawa State, said he was dismissed over unsubstantiated allegation that he stole N285,000 from one of the bank’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM).
The claimant, who was appointed to the position of manager on November 15, 2012, said he was suspended by the bank’s management in May, 2013 and later dismissed in June, 2013.
When the case came up before Justice Peter Lifu, the claimant was led in evidence by his lawyer, Promise Ogbadu.
He denied taking any money from the ATM and contended that his dismissal was in error.
In a cross-examination of the witness, counsel to the defendant, Kelvin Okoye, said his client was right in dismissing the claimant.
He said that as a bank manager in charge of the branch’s operations, the claimant must take responsibility and liability for all ATMs under him and any loss of funds at the branch.
Okoye said that the claimant was still on probation when he was dismissed by his employer and, therefore, has no “locus standi’’ to institute the suit.
He argued that the bank found the claimant wanting in the discharge of his duties before the end of his six months probation and the consequence was his suspension and subsequent dismissal.
Justice Lifu adjourned the case to December 8 for continuation of hearing.