Court orders Army to close its defence Nov.17
NAN-H-96
Defence
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept. 21,2016(NAN) The National Industrial Court has fixed Nov.17 for the defendant the Nigerian Army to close its case in a suit by a dismissed Sgt. Edem Udoh against the Army.
The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, fixed the date after the claimant’s counsel, Mr Victor Abasi-Akam, cross-examined the defence witness, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana.
Gana told the court that he made a complaint to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) that his life and that of his family was being threatened.
He also told the court that the Udoh showed insubordination when he abandoned a military vehicle that was under his care.
The witness told the court that he “de rank Udo because he was insubordinate to his superior officer.”
When told by the claimant’s counsel that he used his position to influence the investigation that led to the alleged dismissal, Gana said that he did not mention any name when he made the complaint.
He reiterated that he only reported that he was being threatened and wouldn’t know if the DMI investigated the matter.
Gana said the claimant refused to obey a lawful directive of his superior and threatened him and his family.
He said he made a complaint to the Directorate of Military Intelligence that his life and family was being threatened.
Abasi-Akam, while cross- examining the witness told the court that there was allegation that his client refused to obey the lawful directive of his superior.
He told the court his client was also alleged to have issued a threat to his superior officer
He said that all his client was asking for was to be paid for the unlawful dismissal.
Udoh is praying the court to compel the Nigeria Army to pay him damages for his alleged unlawful dismissal.(NAN)
ORD/OSA/OFN
(Edited by Shittu Obassa//Felix Nwadioha)