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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><u><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">REPRESENTATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ANIEFOK EKWENE for the claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">EDEM NSA ESQ. for the defendant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JUDGEMENT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant, by a General Form of Complaint filed on 21<sup>st</sup> July, 2015 and accompanied by the Statement of Facts, List of Witnesses, Witness’ Statement on Oath, and List of Documents, approached the Court for the following reliefs:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SPECIAL DAMAGES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">A.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arrears of allowances for 1<sup>st</sup> 44<sup>th</sup> Adult Education Instructors for 52 months from March, 2011 till June, 2015 being the sum of #11,440,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">B.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Arrears of allowances for 45<sup>th</sup> to 82<sup>nd</sup> claimants for 21 months from October, 2013 till June, 2015 being the sum of #3,990,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">C.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Payment of the sum of #5,000.00 monthly to each claimant being their monthly allowances as Adult Education Instructors in the employ of the defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GENERAL DAMAGES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">#2,000,000.00 exemplary damages for breaching contract agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Defendant brought a <b>NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY OBJECTION </b>dated 8<sup>th</sup> October, 2015 and filed on 13<sup>th</sup> October, 2015 and supported by a 20 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Maria Ntekop, praying the Court for the following orders:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order that the suit is incompetent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order striking out and/or dismissing the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain and hear the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GROUNDS FOR THE OBJECTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The action is incompetent and premature as the condition precedent were not complied with.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Honorable Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the suit for non-compliance with the condition precedents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The defendants in their written address in support of preliminary objection raised one issue for determination;-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether non-compliance with rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010 before going to court renders the suit incompetent and robs the court of jurisdiction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Counsel for the defendant Eden Nsa Esq. answering in the affirmative argued that the claimants have violated the provisions of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010 which provides for procedures of settling dispute/grievances before going to court as a last resort. He submitted the afore-mentioned rules make provisions for domestic remedy, which the claimants must exhaust before they can come to the court, failure to exhaust domestic remedies before going to court renders the action incompetent and robs the Court of jurisdiction. <b><span style="color:red">NIKKO v. F.U.A., ABEOKUTA (2015) 58 NLLR (PT. 200) 307 NIC Pp. 312 & 313 HELDS 2 & 3; GBENGA BODUNDE & ANOR. Vs. STAFF COOPERATIVE INVESTMENT & CREDIT SOCIETY LTD. OAUTH COMPLEX & ORS. (2013) 12 NWLR (PT. 1367) 197.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Defence Counsel further submitted that the Supreme Court in <b><span style="color:red">AJANAKU v. C.O.P. (1979) 3-4 SC 28</span></b>, held that where there is a condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction, the court’s jurisdiction is ousted of the condition is not fulfilled. <b><span style="color:red">ITC PLC v. NAFDAC (2007) 10 NWLR (PT. 1043) 613; SALIU v. NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD (2002) 1 WRN 79 (CA).</span></b> He argued that the law is that where the competence of the action is in issue, the court not only has the authority but also the duty to determine the action in limine. This is because the competence of an action robs on the jurisdiction of the court to hear. <b><span style="color:red">CHIEF YAKUBU SANI v. OKENE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRADITIONAL COUNCIL & ANOR. (2008) 7 NSCR 158 @ 160; MADUKOLU v. NKEMDILIM (1962) 2 SCNLR 341.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Claimants in response filed a 17 paragraph <b>COUNTER AFFIDAVIT TO PRELIMINARY OBJECTION</b> on 3<sup>rd</sup> December, 2015 deposed to by Okon U. Udoubak. Accompanied by a <b>WRITTEN REPLY TO PRELIMINARY OBJECTION wherein they raised one issue;-</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ISSUE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Whether by the nature of the employment of the claimants, they are bound by the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules (2010).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Learned Claimant’s Counsel Aniefok Ekwene citing the definition section of <b>Chapter 1 of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules, </b>counsel submitted that the claimants’ employment with the defendant is a contract of service without any statutory flavour. <b><span style="color:red">PHCN v. OFFOELLO (2013) ALL FWLR (PT. 664) 1 RATIO 2.</span></b> He contended that the powers of the State governments over local government councils is limited to what is provided for in <b><span style="color:red">Sec. 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria</span></b> (as amended) and that the <b>Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010, </b>cannot be deemed by any stretch of argument to be the law contemplated in the above section.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The defendants/<b>APPLICANT’S filed a REJOINDER ON POINTS OF LAW</b> dated 20<sup>th</sup> January, 2016 and filed on 21<sup>st</sup> January, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To the defendants, regarding the claimants’ argument <b>whether by the nature of the employment of the claimants, they are bound by the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules (2010), </b>counsel submitted that from the definition of “Public Service of a State” as provided in Sec. 318 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Onna Local Government Council forms part of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service and thus, the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules is applicable to the claimants/respondents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the claimants/respondents’’ submission that their employment is a contract of service without any statutory flavour, counsel submitted that there is no nexus between the instant case and <b><span style="color:red">PHCN v. OFFOELLO (2013) ALL FWLR (PT. 664) 1 RATIO</span></b><span style="color:red"> </span>2 cited by the claimants as the facts are not the same and as such is not applicable here.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the issue of the <b>Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules</b> violating <b><span style="color:red">Sec. 36 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria</span></b> (as amended), Counsel contended that the Public Service Rules does not preclude or foreclose the claimants/respondents from seeking redress in courts but provides for alternative dispute resolution as a condition precedent, where this fails, the officer can then seek redress in court. <b><span style="color:red">RULES 100201 (ii) and (iii) of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service 2010; NIKKO v. FUA, ABEOKUTA (2015) 58 NLLR (PT. 200) 307 NIC P. 313 HELD 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the issue of authority to sue in a representative capacity, the claimants cited <b>LAWAL v. ATORNEY GENERAL OF KWARA STATE</b>, counsel challenged the authority of the claimants/respondents to sue on representative capacity by exhibiting the burial programme of one of the persons alleged to have signed the authority to sue almost a month after she had died. Furthermore, counsel exhibits a letter from the Adult Education Volunteer instructors allege to have signed the authority to sue, dissociating themselves from the court case. <b><span style="color:red">RAPHAEL EJEZIE & ANOR. v. CHRISTOPHER ANUWE & ORS. (2008) 34 (PT. 11) NSCQR 996 @ 1020</span></b>, per <b>G.A. Oguntade, JSC</b>; <b><span style="color:red">ATANDA v. OLANREWAJU (1988) 4 NWLR (PT. 89) 394 RATIO 9.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">On the 16<sup>th</sup> February 2016 the parties adopted their respective processes and adumbrated their positions accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Court’s Decision<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Having carefully summarized the position of both sides, the arguments of opposing counsel and having carefully reviewed all the authorities cited, read through all the relevant processes and digested the contention of the parties and their written submission are herewith incorporated in this ruling and specific mention would be made to them where the need arises. The issue for determination in this suit to my mind is whether there is any merit to the defendants application.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before I address the merits of this application it is necessary to state that the purpose of a reply on point of law. To reply on points of law, the points of law being replied to must be clearly identified by way of rephrasing and then the reply follows. The reply is to show that the point of law newly raised in the address of the other counsel is misconceived or not applicable to the case at hand or distinguishable or has been overridden by new or later authoritative statement of the law. Counsel instead just started readdressing the Court without showing to the Court what point of law it is that he was replying to. Right of reply on points of law, I must state emphatically, is not another avenue to re-argue the defendants’ case – see the Supreme Court in <b><span style="color:red">BASINCO MOTORS LTD. V. WOERMANN-LINE & ANOR. [2009] LPELR – 756 [SC] PP. 41 – 42, paras. A – D</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimants approached this court for reliefs set out in the beginning of this judgement from the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant their former employer and the defendants have raised the issue of non- compliance with Rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The claimants in their reaction to the defendant’s objection raise the question whether they are expected to comply with these provisions not being state employees. Which in turn brings up the more profound issues as to whether Local Government Staff are bound by the State Public Service Rules.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The 1999 CFRN Section 318 defines an ‘Officer’ as “when used without qualification means a staff in an established post, either on pensionable or contract terms” and ‘Established Post’ means “a post provided for under the Personal Emolument sub heads of the estimates.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The use of the word ‘officer’ in the State Public Rules negates the argument of the claimant with regard to their appointment not being statutory flavoured as the rules by extension applies to all workers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The claimant have not put before the court anything to warrant the court consider that their employment is outside the auspices of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The import of Rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010, is that any worker before commencing an action against the Government of Akwa Ibom is required to comply with the stipulated pre conditions stated therein. <b><span style="color:red"> </span></b>See <b><span style="color:red">UGWUANYI V. NICON INS. PLC. (2013) 11 NWLR (PT. 1366) S.C. 546 @ 558 – 559 </span></b>Where it was held that “Pre-action notices are recognized procedural provisions. They give a defendant time to enable the defendant determine whether or not to make reparation to the plaintiff.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This point was succinctly made in the case of <b><span style="color:red">NAFDAC v. ONWUKA (2014) 4 NWLR (PT. 1398) 593 @ 596 </span></b>Where the Apex Court held that “The purpose of pre-hearing notice is to inform the parties of the impending hearing and to ensure attendance at the hearing. If for any reason or by any means this purpose is achieved without formal application for issuance of pre-hearing notice, a party who has taken part in the proceedings cannot be heard to argue that the rule was not being complied with, more so when there is no miscarriage of justice from the non-compliance. The rules as the handmaid of the law cannot constitute obstacles on the path of substantial justice under the law”<b><span style="color:red">. GTB PLC v. FADCO INDUSTRIES NIG. LTD (UNREPORTED) APPEAL NO. CA/K/333/2007 of 10/5/2013 referred to.] Pp. 615, PARAS D-G; 616, PARA. A.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">I find that the sum of rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010 operate to require a pre action notice should be given before instituting action</span><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">against Government.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">In the case of </span><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">AZUBUIKE v. GOVT., ENUGU STATE (2014) 5 NWLR (PT. 1400) 364 @ 376-377 C.A., per Abdul-Kadir, JCA @ 405, PARAS. A-C “</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">the Court of Appeal held that</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “a pre-action notice cannot be viewed merely or simply as a procedural requirement, because it creates a mandatory statutory duty of an intending claimant and a statutory right of the public body official to be sued, to such notice. <b><span style="color:red">ETI OSA LOCAL GOVT. v. JEGEDE (2007) 10 NWLR (PT. 1043) 537.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Bearing in mind that this Court has held that Public Service rules (Federal)</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> are made pursuant to the powers conferred by the Constitution. The Rules, therefore, have constitutional force I find that the State Public Service Rules in turn have constitutional force in a state. See <b><span style="color:red">STEPHEN IMUZEI AKHIOJEMI & ANOR VS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COLLEGE OF NIGERIA NICN/LA/426/2012</span></b><span style="color:red"> </span>delivered on 21<sup>st</sup> January 2014 and the case of Unreported SUIT NO: NICN/IB/54/2013 <b>DR. TITILAYO O. ADERIGBIGBE Vs. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (NISER) & ANOR </b>delivered on 12<sup>TH</sup> MARCH 2014. And the action notice created by Rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010 therefore also have constitutional force<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">And having found that Rules 100201 (ii) and (iii); 100203 and 100101 of Akwa Ibom State Public Service Rules 2010 creates a mandatory requirement where this requirement is not met, the court is unable to assume jurisdiction. See the case of <b><span style="color:red">TEXACO PANAMA INC. V. SHELL PET. DEV. CORP. OF NIG. (2000) 4 NWLR (PT. 653) 480: </span></b>“Where there is non-compliance with a stipulated pre-condition for setting a legal process in motion, any suit instituted in contravention of the pre-condition is incompetent and a court of law is, for that reason lacking in jurisdiction to entertain it.”<b><span style="color:red"> WESTERN STEEL WORKS LTD. Vs. IRON & STEEL WORKS UNION OF NIGERIA (1986) 3 NWLR (PT. 30) 617; AJANAKU Vs. C.O.P. (1979) 3-4 SC 28.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Similarly in </span><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:red">BABALOLA Vs. OSHOGBO L.G. (2003) 10 NWLR (PT. 829) 469, </span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">it was held that </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Where there is non-compliance with the stipulated pre-condition setting a legal process in motion, any suit instituted in contravention of the pre-condition provision of the relevant law is incompetent and the court of law for that reason lacks jurisdictional power to entertain it.” <b><span style="color:red">GAMBARI Vs. GAMBARI (1990) 5 NWLR (pt. 52) 572</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">From the foregoing I find that that the claimants sojourn to this court is premature and as a pre action notice has the effect of putting the court’s jurisdiction in abeyance until it is given. The claimants are required in law to serve this notice accordingly. This from the processes before the claimant has not done.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">This case is prematurely before the court and thus is struck out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">This is the court’s judgement and it is hereby entered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">…………………………………………….<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Justice E. N. Agbakoba<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Presiding Judge Calabar Division<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:13.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> </span></p>