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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Representation:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">J. C. Nwazuruonye, with him, I. O. Mirikweh Esq. and C. C. Iworie (Mrs.) for the Claimant/Respondent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chief E. O. Onyema, with him, S.U. Eke for the Defendants/Applicants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">RULING</span></u></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">By a motion on Notice filed on the 22<sup>nd</sup> day of February 2016, and brought pursuant to Order 11 Rule 1 (1) of the National Industrial Court Rules, 2007 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable court as provided by Section 6 (6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> the Defendants/Applicants’ counsel</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> is </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">praying the Honourable Court for the following relief:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:38.9pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An order of Court striking out this suit as the same is incompetent and improperly constituted and the Honourable Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the same. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The grounds for this application are as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(a) The 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants on record as sued are not juristic persons. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(b) Proper parties that are necessary for the invocation of the judicial Powers of the Court and who would be affected by the reliefs sought in this action are not made parties to this Suit <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">(c) The Honourable Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain a Suit against non-juristic persons and cannot exercise judicial powers when proper parties are not before the Court. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">(d) This Suit as constituted is incompetent and the Honourable Court lacks the <br> jurisdiction to entertain same. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">The Motion is supported by an affidavit of 5 Paragraphs deposed to by Olivia Golden. In the accompanying written address, the Defendants’ Counsel identified one issue for determination in this application, namely: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> <b>Whether this Suit as constituted is competent and whether the Honourable Court has jurisdiction to entertain the same. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">In respect of the first ground of objection, counsel submitted that the law is settled that where a party to an action is not a juristic person in the name by which it is sued, the Court would not have jurisdiction to exercise judicial Powers over such party and the proper thing to do is to strike out the Suit as against such a person. See <b>ATAGUBA & CO. vs. GURA NIG. LTD (2005) All FWLR (Pt. 256) 1219 at 1228</b>. Counsel further submitted that in the instant case, the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant as sued and as described in the Claimant's originating process is just an investigative Panel or body made up of some named natural persons. See paragraph 25 of the Claimant's affidavit in support of the Originating Motion. It is the opinion of counsel that the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant on record is not a natural person; is not a body corporate and is not granted the right by any law to sue or be sued<i>. </i>Also, Where an Investigative Panel such as the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant which is composed of natural persons is sought to be sued; it may be sued through its members in the form permitted by Law; but it certainly cannot be sued in its name because it is not a Juristic entity. See <b>GANI FAWEHINMI vs. NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION (NO.2) (1989)2 NWLR (Pt. 105) 558</b>. In respect of the 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4th Defendants, Counsel argued that it is clear that what the Claimant sued are merely offices which are occupied by natural persons. Those offices are not incorporated bodies given statutory powers to sue and be sued in the name of that Office. The natural persons occupying those offices are also not sued by virtue of the offices they occupy. In <b>THE PRINCIPAL, GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, IKACHI vs. IGBUDU (2005) 12 NWLR (Pt. 940) 506</b>,<b><i> </i></b>the Court of Appeal held that an office or position which is not an incorporated entity under the law is a non-juristic body without legal personality and cannot be sued <i> in nomine. </i>See also <b>AGBONMAGBE BANK LTD vs. GENERAL MANAGER. G.B. OLIVANT & ANOR (1961) All NLR 116</b>.<b> </b>In view of the forgoing, counsel urged the Court to hold that the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4th Defendants on record as sued are not juristic persons and strike out the names of the 1st, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd </sup>and 4th Defendants from this Suit. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">In respect of the second ground of objection, counsel submitted that with the striking out of the names of the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4th Defendants, this Suit becomes improperly constituted as the proper persons necessary for the determination of the issues raised in this suit would be absent before the Court. The principal relief being sought by the Claimant is an order of Certiorari for the quashing of the proceedings and decisions of the 1<sup><span style="color:#525B58">s</span>t </sup>Defendant panel. This relief sought by the Claimant certainly cannot be adjudicated upon by the Court without the Panel, whose proceedings are being challenged, being properly made a party. According to Counsel, proceedings to adjudicate upon such suit, the result of which would affect and prejudice a party not brought before the Court, would violate the Constitutional requirements of fair hearing. See <b>ABIA vs. CROSS RIVERS STATE PROPERTY &INVESTMENT LTD (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 339) 955 at 977</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">Furthermore, counsel contended that a perusal of the originating processes filed by the Claimant shows that the letter of suspension (Marked Exhibit 10 in the Originating Motion)<b><i> </i></b>which the Claimant is complaining about in this suit was written by the Imo State Civil Service Commission. The Claimant averred in paragraph 33 of the affidavit supporting the originating motion that the said Civil Service Commission is his employer. The Claimant is seeking reliefs affecting the said suspension carried out by the Civil Service Commission. However, the said Civil Service Commission was not made a party to this suit. Counsel submitted that to determine whether the letter of suspension was rightly or wrongly issued by the Commission, the Commission must be made a party to any judicial proceedings where the validity of the said suspension is being challenged and that failure to join the Commission in such suit makes the suit improperly constituted and incompetent. In <b>ALAMIEYESEIGHA vs. TEIWA (2002) FWLR (Pt. 96) 552 at 577, </b>the Court of Appeal held as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">It is trite that where a party or parties who is or are necessary for the invocation of a judicial processes or powers of the Court are not before the Court, the Court has no jurisdiction to grant the relief claimed. In such a case, the Court must strike out the action and even if it was lured to give a decision on such an action, it should set aside such a decision which was given without Jurisdiction" <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">See<b> OGBONDA vs. NKANGINIEME (2010) </b></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">All FWLR (Pt. 502)1034 </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 92%;mso-bidi-language:HE">at </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE">1061 - 1062. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">Finally, a perusal of the originating processes shows that the Civil Service Commission and the Government of Imo State are the disclosed Principals on whose behalf the persons occupying the offices of Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and Secretary to the Government were acting as agents. The Law is settled that an agent cannot be sued in his own capacity when there is a disclosed Principal. See <b>AMADIUME vs. IBOK (2006) All FWLR (Pt.<i> </i>321) 1247</b>. This principle further strengthens the position that the failure to join the Civil Service Commission in this Suit makes the Suit improperly constituted. Counsel<b> </b>urged the court to resolve the issue for determination in the negative by holding that this Suit as constituted is not properly constituted and that the Honourable Court is thereby robbed of jurisdiction to entertain this suit. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size: 4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">In Conclusion, counsel submitted that the Defendants/Applicants have made out a case for the grant of the reliefs sought in this Motion. Counsel urged the Court to grant this motion and strike out this suit with costs. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#333C38;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#333C38;mso-bidi-language:HE">In </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">oppos<span style="color:#333C38">i</span>tion, on <span style="color:#2F3632">11/03/2016,</span><span style="color:#333C38"> </span>the Claimant/Respondent filed 7 parag<span style="color:#333C38">ra</span>p<span style="color:#333C38">h counter</span><span style="color:#4E5854">- </span>affidavit. In the accompanying written address, counsel raised one<span style="color:#333C38"> i</span>ssue <span style="color:#333C38">f</span>o<span style="color:#333C38">r </span>de<span style="color:#333C38">t</span>erm<span style="color:#333C38">i</span>nat<span style="color:#333C38">i</span>o<span style="color:#333C38">n as follows</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#333C38;mso-bidi-language: HE">: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#333C38;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> <b><i><span style="color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%">Whether by the exercise of their powers/functions against the Claimant/Respondent as averred in the application for certiorari with supporting documents, the </span><span style="color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:114%">1<sup>st</sup> to </span><span style="color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:126%">4</span><sup><span style="color:#38413E;mso-font-width:126%">th</span></sup><span style="color:#38413E;mso-font-width:126%"> </span><span style="color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%">Defendants/Applicants are not suable in Law. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">In arguing this issue, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">counsel submitted that the submissions of the Defendants/Applicant</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel were made without recourse to the provisions of Sections 197</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">206</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">207 and 208 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">the Imo Stat</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language: HE">e </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Pub</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">lic </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">Service Rules and the exceptions to the applicability of concept o</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">f Legal </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Personality</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">. Counsel argued that </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Section 197 (1) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establi</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">s</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">h</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">e</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">d </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">the </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">State Civil Service Commission and its composition by virtue of part 2 S</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">c</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">hedu</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">le </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">3 of the Constitution. Section 206 of the Constitution established the Civil Service of the S</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">t</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">a</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">t</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">e </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">while </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Section 207 provides as follows: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> Subject to the provisions of this Constitution</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">the State Civil Service Commission may, with the approval of the Governor and subject to such conditions as it may deem f</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">it </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">delegate any of the powers conferred upon it by the constitution to any of its members or to any officer in the Civil Service of the State. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Sect</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">on 208 (1) of the Constitution provides as follows</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> "</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to wh</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">c</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">h </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">this Section applies and to remove persons </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-bidi-language:HE">so admitted f</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">r</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">om any such office shall vest in the Governor of the State</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> 2.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> The offices to which this Section applies are namely</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">a. Secretary to the Government of Imo State</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> b. Head of Civil Service of Imo State. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> c. Permanent Secretary or other Chief Executive </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">n an</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">y </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Ministry or Department of the Government of the State howsoever designated and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-font-width:107%; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> d. Any office </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">on the Personal Staff of the Governor</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">However Section 2 (1) a and b of Part 2 of the Third Schedule </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#38413E; mso-bidi-language:HE">to the </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2823;mso-bidi-language:HE">Constitution provides as follows</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#38413E;mso-bidi-language:HE">: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">2 (1): The Commission shall have power without prejudice to the powers vested in the Governor and the state Judicial service Commission to appoint persons to offices in the State Civil service and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">b. Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding such offices. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">(2) The Commission shall not exercise any of the Powers under Sub paragraph 1 of this paragraph in respect of such offices of heads of divisions of Ministries or of departments of the Government of the State as may from time to time be designated by an order made by the Governor except after consultation with the Head of Service of the State. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">From the above provisions of the constitution, counsel argued the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants are established to exercise certain powers or functions. However, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State (4<sup>th</sup> Defendant) has no power recognised by either the Constitution or any statute to take any step(s) in the disciplinary control of the Claimant yet through his letter exhibited in the application for certiorari, he purported to do such. Counsel submitted further, that the synthesis of the various offices recognised by the Constitution is that they are imbued with powers which they exercise against officials or staff of Civil Service Commission which it is submitted<span style="color:#46504C">, </span>makes these offices suable in Law. See <b>PROVOST, ALVAN IKOKU COLLEGE OF EDUCATION vs. AMUNEKE (1991) 9 NWLR (Part 213) 49 at 58</b> where it was held that: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> <i>It is clear that Section 20, Section 25A and Section 24 of Edict No 16 of 1974 which established the offices of the Provost, the Registrar and the Academic Board listed various functions which the various offices are empowered to discharge though theyare unincorporated<span style="color:#46504C">. </span>It is therefore reasonable to imply that these bodies in the discharge of these functions will exercise the rights of legal persons and will<span style="color:#46504C">, </span>if the nature of the duty <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">discharged so involved, be SUABLE in the courts i.e, possesses juristic personality".</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">See also the case of: <b>FAWEHINMI vs. NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION (NO 2) Supra.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">It is counsel’s argument that the various documents exhibited in the a<span style="color:#424B48">f</span>fidavit in support of their application for certiorari, clearly shows the powers exercised by the 1<sup>st</sup> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#424B48; mso-font-width:123%;mso-bidi-language:HE">- </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:133%;mso-bidi-language: HE">4<sup><span style="color:#424B48">th</span></sup><span style="color:#424B48"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendants in the purported exercise of their function or duties directed against the Claimant thereby making their offices suable. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In direct opposition to</span><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">pa<span style="color:#424B48">r</span>agraph 3<span style="color:#424B48">.</span>05 of the Defendants’ Counsel Address, counsel argued that the authorities cited by the Defendants’ counsel are correct and unassailable <span style="color:#424B48">in </span>terms of the principles of law enunciated and applied<span style="color:#424B48"> but they are not on all fours with the instant case.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">However, in respect of unincorporated association<span style="color:#3D4642">, </span>there appears to be exceptions to the concept of legal personality. Counsel referred to Salmond on Jurisprudence (12<sup>th </sup>Edition by P .J. Fitzgerald) at Pages 326 - 327 which reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Midway between corporations and unincorporated associations stand various entities which enjoy some measure of personality<span style="color:#3D4642">. </span>A partne<span style="color:#3D4642">r</span>ship is not </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:109%;mso-bidi-language: HE">a </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">legal person, but yet resembles one in certain ways<span style="color:#616965">. </span>It can sue and be sued in its own name and its property is separate from the property of its members. Into this intermediate category, </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 115%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">we said earlier, come registered friendly societies and registered trade unions. The former consists of voluntary Associations which raise funds from their members' subscription and lend money </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:109%;mso-bidi-language:HE">to </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the members in time of need<span style="color:#3D4642">. </span>Both registered friendly societies and registered trade unions can sue and be sued in their own names and can own property in the names of their Trustees</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#3D4642;mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">See the case of <b>BONSOR vs. MUSICIANS UNION (</b></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">1956) A.C<span style="color:#3D4642">. </span>104</span></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 106%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">where the House of Lords decided that a member could sue for breach of contract, implying at least that a union has some legal existence independent of its members<span style="color:#3D4642">. See also </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">the case of <b>HART vs. GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE & ORS (1976) 6 ECSLR 421 at 433</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">Based on the foregoing authorities, it is counsel’s submission that all the parties listed as Defendants in this suit are SUABLE in law and therefore this Suit is properly constituted and the Court has the requisite jurisdiction to hear same to judgment. Counsel urged the Court to dismiss the application filed by the Defendants for striking <a name="_GoBack"></a>out and proceed to hear the application of the Claimant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:2.0in;text-align:justify;text-indent: .5in"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">Court’s Decision<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">The facts of this application, as deposed in the affidavit in support of the motion, are that the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants are not juristic persons and those proper parties necessary for the determination of this matter are not before the court in this suit. As a result, this suit is incompetent and this court lacks jurisdiction to entertain same. On his part, it is averred in the Claimant’s counter affidavit that the offices sued as Defendants exercised some powers and functions which affected the right of the Claimant. The Defendants can be sued and they are therefore proper parties. It was also averred in the Claimant’s counter affidavit that the State Civil service Commission was not constituted at time the Defendants suspended the Claimant and that this court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter<span style="color:#434E49">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">From the grounds of the application and the facts in support, the contention of the Defendants is that </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants are not juristic persons and proper parties in this case have not been brought before the court. It is trite that a</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE"> party who commences an action in court or who is sued to court must be a person known to law. Generally, the law recognizes two categories of persons who can sue and be sued in the court. They are natural persons or artificial persons or institutions having juristic personality. <b>ZAIN NIG. LTD vs. ILORIN (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 681) 1518 at 1550</b>; <b>N.F.C.A. vs. LALOKO (2003) FWLR (Pt. 144) 482 at 495-496</b>;</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <b>GENEVA vs. AFRIBANK NIG. PLC (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 702) 1652 at 1678.</b> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">The 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant on record is “Personnel Management Board”. In paragraph 25 of the affidavit in support of the application for judicial review, the Claimant listed the names of the persons constituted in the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. The Claimant has failed however to satisfy this court of the juristic personality of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant Board. As rightly submitted by the Defendants counsel, it is the persons constituted in the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant who can be sued in their personal names and not the Board itself which is not a legal person. In the result, I agree with the Defendants that the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is not juristic and cannot therefore sue or be sued. Accordingly, the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is struck out from this suit. I have observed however that the role of the Board has been called into question in this suit. That implies that this matter may not be completely determined without the presence of the Board. The Claimant did mention the names of the persons who acted in the said Board. As mentioned earlier, they are the persons who are competent to be parties to this suit and whose names should appear in this suit instead of the Board. I see the necessity to join the Chairman and members of the Personnel Management Board in this suit as Defendants. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Where a court observes the necessity to make a party to a suit, it has the inherent and discretionary power to suo motu make the order of joinder. See</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">DAAR COMMUNICATIONS (NIG.) LTD. vs. WASA DELMA NIG. LTD. (2012) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1287) 370</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. Accordingly, <b><i>Mr. Callistus Ekenze, Mr. Ezema Eche, Miss Ibega and Asonye Igwe are hereby joined to this suit as Defendants</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">With respect to the 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants, although the Claimant has not been able to convince this court that they are constitutional establishments, I however agree with the Claimant’s counsel that the offices can be sued.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">From the facts of this case, the 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants have taken certain actions against the Claimant which resulted in the suspension of the Claimant from service. I</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">n <b>THOMAS vs. LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE BOARD (1965) 1 All NLR 174 </b>and<b> KPEBIMOH vs. THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, WESTERN IJAW TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE (1966) 1 NMLR 130</b>, the Supreme Court observed that unincorporated bodies which have power to do certain acts which can result in injury to others must impliedly be taken to have power to sue and be sued for those acts. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, in </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">CARLEN (NIG.) LIMITED vs. UNIVERSITY OF JOS [1994] 1 NWLR (Pt. 323) 631</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, it was held that a body which can inflict injury must be taken to have impliedly been given the power to make it suable in a court of law for injuries purposely done by it. It is my view that the 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants can be sued and they are competent Defendants to this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The Defendants’ counsel has argued that the Imo State Civil Service Commission is a necessary party to this suit. Having made this observation, it is counsel’s responsibility to this court to apply to join the Commission to the suit. Rather, counsel urged the court to strike out the case because it was not properly constituted. I find the Defendants counsel wanting in one of his cardinal duties to court. I have the view also that the Imo State Civil Service Commission is a necessary party to this matter and ought to be made a party to the case. The Imo State Civil Service Commission is hereby joined to this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the result, only the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is struck out from this suit. The persons named by the Claimant in paragraph 25 of the affidavit in support of the application for judicial review as constituting the Personnel Management Board and the Imo State Civil Service Commission are joined as Defendants to this suit. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">The Claimant is granted leave to effect the necessary amendments or changes to his application and effect service on the parties so joined.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">The Defendants’ motion fails and it is hereby dismissed. No order as to cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Ruling is entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">Hon. Justice O. Y. Anuwe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Judge</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE"> </span></u></b></p>