MOHAMMED, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The plaintiff, now the appellant in this court was employed by the defendant now respondent on 22-11-1969. After serving the required number of years, his appointment was confirmed. As a confirmed officer, he continued to earn regular promotions until he attained the rank of a senior staff on 1-2-1980. Being a senior pensionable staff of the defendant's company, the plaintiff was due to retire on 25-9-1992 on reaching the retiring age of 55 years as was duly communicated to him by the defendant's letter dated 27-11-1990. As part of the preparation for the retirement, the plaintiff attended a pre-retirement seminar arranged by the defendant for its officers between 22-9-1991 at Benin City. The plaintiff who served the defendant for over 22 years diligently was expecting to retire on 25-9-1992 on attaining the age of 55 years.
However, barely just over a month after attending the pre-retirement seminar, by a letter dated 13-11-1991, t…