By Ebitonye Akpodigha
First Bank of Nigeria has been directed by the National Industrial Court to open its defence in the case of alleged dismissal of a former employee, Mr Othman Sulyman.
Justice Isele Esele fixed November 21 and 22, 2016, for this after counsel to the claimant, Mr Ademola Oyedokun, informed the court of a letter seeking adjournment from the defence counsel, Mr Fred Itulah.
The court adjourned hearing in the suit and ordered that notices be served on the respondents.
Mr Sulyman was the Head of Assets Creation Unit, Consumer Banking Deport, in the Lagos head office of the bank before he was fired through a letter dated 2013.
The claimant alleged that he had already resigned from the bank on April 8, 2011 before the dismissal letter was issued and is now challenging his sack.
Mr Sulyman wants the court to compel First Bank to amend his record of employment for reference purposes and also that his terminal benefits as well as damages for rendering him unemployed be paid.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Aduragbemi Omiyale