The Agricultural Development Bank is to release GHC50, 000 to service the legal fees of its former Executive Director, Abdul-Samed Iddrisu, who was dismissed in 2015.

A Mercedes Benz E200 with the registration GS 660-14 which Mr Iddrisu used as official vehicle prior to his dismissal has also been released to him as “gratis,” 3News can authoritatively report.

Mr Iddrisu who doubled as the Deputy Managing Director of the Bank, and 14 others were displaced during reorganisation structuring exercise and were subsequently dismissed.

But Mr Iddrisu in late 2015 initiated legal action against the Bank over his dismissal but the Bank led by its new Managing Director, Daniel Asiedu intervened in the matter in April 2016 with an out of court settlement.

It is not clear the settlement package that was agreed on for the former management staff member but a memo from the Bank’s legal department dated December 16,2016 to the Chief Finance Officer directed GHC50,000 to be paid into the account of Mr Iddrisu.

Per a copy of the memo sighted by 3News, “It has been agreed with the plaintiff that the legal fee of GHC50,000 net be credited to his account to enable him sought[sic] out things with his lawyer.”

The memo that was signed by M.K Amoakohene who is the General Counsel of the Bank added: “As part of the settlement, the official car that was being used by the plaintiff, a Mercedes Benz E200 with registration number GS 660-14 is to be released to him gratis”.

It further directed the Bank’s Facilities Manager to make the car available within seven days from December 16,2016 for onward submission to Mr Iddrisu.

10 other dismissed staff questions settlement basis

Meanwhile, some of the 10 other staff who were summarily dismissed by the Bank for alleged breach of Collective Bargaining Agreement, and subsequently sued ADB, have questioned the decision by the Bank to settle Mr Iddrisu leaving them and the 14 others laid off with Mr Iddrisu.

The 10 instituted a class action against the Bank in December 2015 claiming a total amount of GHC1.5 million for what they termed wrongful dismissal.

One of them who spoke to 3News Thursday on condition of anonymity said following an intervention by the current MD on April 13, 2016, the 10 submitted a proposed terms of settlement to the Bank as requested.

According to him, the Bank has yet to respond to the said proposed terms of settlement submitted on April 15, 2016 hence was surprising to hear the former Deputy MD has been settled.

“On what basis has the Bank settled his? What about the rest and what about those who were unfairly dismissed?” the affected staff questioned.

Source: 3news.com