(Ecofin Agency) - The London Appeal Court authorised Ecobank group to lodge an appeal on the decision taken by the London High Court in July.

To recall, in his legal battle with the Ecobank group, ex-General Manager Thierry Tanoh (photo), unceremoniously dismissed, won the trials in Abidjan for defamation, and in Lomé for unfair dismissal.

The Pan African banking group, sentenced to pay him consequential indemnities (USD 12.6 million and USD 11.5 million), contested the independence and competency of the African courts and brought the case to the London justice court arguing that the employment contract of Mr. Tanoh was signed under British law.

In July this year, the London court gave a non-suit to Ecobank and thus confirmed the judgements of Lomé and Abidjan. In order to be awarded his indemnities, Mr. Tanoh then requested for Ecobank's accounts to be seized.

The recent decision by the London Appeal Court calls the situation into question, unless a settlement agreement is reached soon, as desired by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara for whom Thierry Tanoh has since become deputy Secretary General.