Plaintiff (now respondent) was employed by the 1st defendant (1st appellant) (then called Barclays Bank D.C.O).

The respondent was queried for being involved in an irregular foreign exchange transaction. In answering the query, respondent admitted the irregularity and attributed it to the hectic schedule of work. Management not impressed with the explanation terminated the respondent. The letter was signed by the 2nd appellant and the respondent's account was credited with one month's salary in lieu of notice.

Aggrieved by the termination, the respondent commenced an action at the Calabar High Court claiming, the sum of N300,000 as special and general damages for wrongful termination of her employment.

The court gave judgment in favour of the respondent for the sum of N146,910.00 with costs of N1,000.00 All the items particularized as special damages by the respondent were awarded to her.

Dissatisfied, the appellants appealed to the court of Appeal principally on the amount awarded to the respondent as special damages.