Download PDF
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Representation</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">J.I. Gbim-Gbande for the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Grant Osu, with him, Zubairu Yazid for the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">C. Ogwo, Assistant Chief State Counsel, with him, B. D. Otubu, State Counsel, Abia State Ministry of Justice, for the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </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"">JUDGMENT/RULING</span></u></b><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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">This action was commenced by way of Complaint dated and filed on the 18<sup>th</sup> day of December 2014 wherein the claimed jointly and severally as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo14"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">An Order directing and commanding the Defendants to comply with the directives in the Abia State Government White Paper of May 2010 to wit: that the Claimant be recalled and given a regular appointment in Abia State University Uturu (ABSU).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo14"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">An Order directing and commanding the Defendants to pay the Claimants all his salaries, entitlements and benefits from December 2008 till when he is finally reinstated by the Defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo14"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">An Order directing and commanding the Defendants to reinstate the Claimant on the level where he ought to be if the circumstances that led to this case wouldn’t have arisen, that is, to place the Claimant on the level where his contemporaries in service at ABSU are presently occupying.<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">On the 19<sup>th</sup> of October 2015, the 1<sup>st</sup> to 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants filed a preliminary objection pursuant to Order 11(1) and Order 5(3) of the National Industrial Court Rules 2007 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this court seeking a striking out this suit on the ground that this court lacks the requisite 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-font-width:91%;mso-bidi-language: HE">The </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">grounds of the preliminary objection are as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Claimant initiated this suit by a writ of summons dated 18/12/2014 and filed the same day. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the acts of the 1<sup>st</sup> - 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants the Claimant is seeking redress against or complaining about occurred or happened in the months of December 2008 and May 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Defendants against whom the Claimant initiated this suit on 18/12/2014 are Public Officers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the 1<sup>st</sup> - 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants performed the act the Claimant is complaining against in their capacity as Public Officers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Claimant commenced this suit against the Defendants more than 3 (three) months after its occurrence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Claimant by not commencing this suit within 3 (three<span style="color:#444B4A">) </span>months next after the act, his originating processes is a nullity and failed to clothe this Honourable Court with jurisdiction to entertain this su<span style="color:#444B4A">i</span>t. <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 application is supported by a 12-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Chibuzo Ogbonna, a Female, Litigation Clerk in the 1<sup>st</sup> to 3<sup>rd</sup> defendants counsel’s Law office. In the accompanying written address, Counsel distilled one issue for determination, which is: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether bearing in mind the facts pleaded </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">by </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the Claimant in his Statement of Claim and the provision of section 2(a) of POPL, this </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Honourable Court can be said to be clothed with the jurisdiction to hear and determine this suit</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:116%;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:116%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Counsel </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">began his submission on <span style="color:#333D3A">t</span>h<span style="color:#333D3A">is </span>sole issue by referring to <span style="color:#333D3A">t</span>h<span style="color:#333D3A">e </span>provisions of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protect<span style="color:#333D3A">i</span>o<span style="color:#333D3A">n </span>Law (POPL) Cap 140 Laws of the Abia State of Nige<span style="color:#333D3A">ri</span>a<span style="color:#333D3A">n </span>2005, which states as follows<span style="color:#333D3A">: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">“Section 2-- Actions against Public Officers <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Where any action, prosecution, or other proceeding is commenced against any person for any act done in pursuance or execution or intended execution of any or Law or of any public duty or authority, or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of any such Law, duty or authority, the following provisions shall have effect. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Limitation of time <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">(a)The action, prosecution or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months after the act, neglect or default complained of or in case of a continuance of damage or </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">injury, within three months next after </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the ceasing thereof: <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 116%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> Provided that if the action, prosecution or proceeding be at the instance of any person </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 125%;mso-bidi-language:HE">for cause arising while such person was a convict prisoner, it may be commenced within </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language: HE">three months after the discharge of such person from prison.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2723;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:#1E2723;mso-bidi-language:HE">He submitted that the proviso of Section 2(a) POPL does not avail the Claimant, as the act he is complaining against is not of a continuous nature and he did not plead that he was held in a prison facility as a convict prisoner since December 2008 and May 2010 when his cause of action accrued. Besides, if he was so held in any prison facilities as a convict prisoner, he did not plead it, which still makes the proviso not to avail him. Counsel submitted further that the Claimant pleaded that he applied </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#353F3B;mso-bidi-language:HE">f</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1E2723;mso-bidi-language:HE">or voluntary retirement in 2008 and that it was not accepted. Rather, his salary was stopped in December, 2008. See paragraph 10 of his Statement of Facts. Again, the Claimant equally pleaded that the Judicial Panel's recommendation was accepted by the Abia State Government in May 2010 but that the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant has refused to implement the recommendation. Counsel argued that from the purported defaults on the part of the Defendants, the Claimant did not file this action until 18/12/2014 clearly outside the three months period after becoming aware of the alleged default. Counsel argued further that this present action is statute-barred having been instituted outside the three months period provided for by Section 2 (a) of Public Officers Protection Law, Cap 140 Laws of Abia State 2005 within which to sue a public officer after becoming aware of the default</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#1E2723;mso-bidi-language:HE"><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">Counsel further submitted that the position of the law is that the court<span style="color: #353F3B">, </span>in determining the issue of jurisdiction has to consider the facts as deposed to in affidavits, the writ of summons, the Statement of Claim and the relevant statutes of limitation. This will aid the court to determine whether an action is statute-barred or not. Counsel cited the case of <b>AJAYI vs. ADEBIYI (2012) 11 NWLR (Pt.1310) 137 at 169-170 paras </b>D-A, where the Supreme Court laid down the yardstick in determining an action which is statute- barred 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:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">“The yardsticks to determine whether an action is statute-barred are: <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.25in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l11 level1 lfo10"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">(a)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The date when the cause of action accrued <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.25in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l11 level1 lfo10"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">(b)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The date of commencement of the suit as indicated in the writ of summons <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.25in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l11 level1 lfo10"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">(c)<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Period of time prescribed to bringing an action to be ascertained from the statute in question. <o:p></o:p></span></i></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:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> Time begins to run for the purposes of the limitation law from the date the cause of action accrues. <b>BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC vs. AKINYOSOYE (1995) NWLR (Pt. 374) 722 SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CO. (NIG) LTD vs. FARAH (1995) </b></span></i><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">3 NWLR (Pt. 382) 148</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">; etc.”</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> <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">Counsel submitted that from the writ of summons and the Statement of Claim already filed in this court, it can easily be shown therefrom that the cause of action for the Claimant accrued in the month of December 2008 and May 2010 while he commenced this suit on 18/12/2014, far beyond the<span style="color:#1E2723"> three months period provided for by section 2 (a) of Public Officers Protection Law. Furthermore, Counsel cited the </span>case of <b>AJAYI vs. ADEBIYI</b> (supra) at page 169 where the Supreme Court enunciated on the essence of a statute of limitation thus: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:119%;mso-bidi-language:HE">"The essence of a limitation law is that the </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:132%;mso-bidi-language:HE">legal right to enforce an action is not a </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language: HE">perpetual right but a right generally limited by statute. Where a statute of limitation </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">prescribes a period within which an action should be brought, legal proceedings cannot be properly or validly instituted after the expiration of the prescribed period. Therefore a cause of action is statute-barred if legal proceedings cannot be commenced in respect of same because the period laid down by the limitation law had lapsed. An action which is not brought within the prescribed period offends the provision of the law and does not give rise to a cause of action.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">It is counsel’s further submission that the scope of Section 2(a) of POPL covers both natural and artificial persons, such as the Defendants in this case, and it affords them protection when they have acted pursuant to their duties as public officers, and their motive for so acting is neither here nor there. See the cases of:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">IBRAHIM vs. J. S. C. KADUNA STATE (1998) 14 NWLR (Pt. 584) 1; <o:p></o:p></span></b></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">SULGRAVE HOLDINGS INC & ORS. vs. F G. N. & ORS (2012) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1329) 309.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE"> <o:p></o:p></span></li> </ol> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:113%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Counsel contended</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> that limitation law and locus standi are materials the courts consider in determining the issue of jurisdiction, which is a threshold issue that can be raised and taken even before the Defendant files his statement of defence. In support of counsel’s contention, counsel referred to <b>AJAYI vs. ABEBIYI (supra) at 179-180</b> where the Supreme Court 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>“Limitation Law and locus standi are both threshold issues which can be raised any time or for the first time in the Court of Appeal or in the Supreme Court. It is not limited to being raised as a special defence and pleading them specifically as required by the Rules of Court under Order 22 rule 2 of the High Court of Lagos state (Civil Procedure) <span style="color:#1D2724;mso-font-width:114%">Rules. It transcends any High Court rules. It can be raise by preliminary objection at any stage of the proceedings before any court by any of the parties or even suo motu by the court. It is therefore noteworthy that an application or preliminary objection seeking an order to strike out a suit for being incompetent on the ground of absence of jurisdiction is not a demurrer and therefore can be filed and taken even before the defendant files his statement of defence. The reason being that of jurisdiction can be raised at any time. In addition, the relevant things to be considered by the court in determining the issue of jurisdiction is the facts as deposed to in affidavits, the writ of summons and the statement of claim where one had to be filed and served. The statement of defence is not one of the relevant materials for that purpose.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1D2724;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:#1D2724;mso-bidi-language:HE">It is the further contention of counsel that this application challenging the jurisdiction of this court transcends the provisions of the rules of this court and can be rightly taken at this stage of the trial</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. In conclusion, counsel referred the court to </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">the holding of the supreme court on the importance of jurisdiction and the need to raise it timeously in the case of <b>AJAYI </b><b>vs. ADEBIYI</b> (supra) at page 181 paras B-E thus: <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-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Jurisdiction is the very basis on which any tribunal tries a case. It is the lifetime of all trials. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">A trial without jurisdiction is a nullity. This importance of jurisdiction is the reason why it can be raised at any stage of a case be it at trial, on appeal to the Court of Appeal or to the Supreme Court. <i>A fortiori</i> the court can <i>suo motu</i> raise it. It is desirable that preliminary objection be raised early on the issue of jurisdiction. But once it is apparent to any party that the court may not have jurisdiction, it can be raised even <i>viva</i> <i>voce</i>. It is always in the interest of justice to raise the issue of jurisdiction so as to save time and costs and to avoid a trial in nullity. <b>WESTERN STEEL WORKS LTD vs. IRON & STEEL WORKERS UNION (1986) </b><b>3 NWLR (Pt. 30) 617; ODOFIN vs. AGU (1992) 3 NWLR (Pt. 229) 350</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-font-width:109%;mso-bidi-language: HE">From </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">the foregoing, counsel urged the court to dismiss this suit for being incompetent on the ground of absence of jurisdiction.<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:#1B2014;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:#1B2014;mso-bidi-language:HE">On the 5th of May 2015, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">counsel to the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant/Objector filed a notice of preliminary objection pursuant to Order 11(10) as amended by paragraph 5(3) of the National Industrial Court Practice Direction praying for the striking out the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant from its record in the instant 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">The grounds upon which the application is brought are as follows<span style="color:#565853">: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Claimant has no cause of action against the 4<sup>th</sup><span style="color:#565853"> </span>Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the Claimant’s suit against 1<sup>st</sup>-3<sup><span style="color:#565853">r</span>d</sup> Defendants can stand or succeed even with the absence of the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language:HE">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">That the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is a body corpo<span style="color:#565853">r</span>ate with perpetual succession and having a common seal<span style="color:#565853">, </span>with power to sue or be sued<span style="color:#565853"> </span>according to Section 3(2) of the Ab<span style="color:#565853">i</span>a State Un<span style="color:#565853">i</span>versity <span style="color:#565853">L</span>aw<span style="color:#565853">, </span>Cap<span style="color:#565853">, </span>laws of Abia State (2005). <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 the accompanying written address in support of the Notice of Preliminary Objection, counsel cited </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Section </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 135%;mso-bidi-language:HE">3 </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:117%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">the Abia State University Law, which provides thus: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">The Abia State University established by the Imo State University Law No. 21 </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 117%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:113%;mso-bidi-language:HE">1985 </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 117%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">amended by the Imo State University (Amendment) Law No. 5 </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">1991 shall continue to exist if established by this Law. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">The University shall continue to be </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">body corporate with perpetual succession and having </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">common seal, with power to sue or be sued in its corporate name and subject to the Land Use Act, may hold, acquire, or dispose </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:117%;mso-bidi-language: HE">of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">or otherwise deal with movable or immovable property. <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">He also referred to <b>AMATA vs. OMOFUMA (1997) 2 NWLR (Pt. 485) 93 at 112</b>, where a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">cause of action was defined <i><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width: 111%">“</span></i><i><span style="color: #2A2E24;mso-font-width:108%">as a </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width: 111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">bundle </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:119%">of </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">aggregate </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:119%">of </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">facts which the law will recognise </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:108%">as </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">giving the plaintiff </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:117%">a </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:113%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">substantive right </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">to make </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:117%">a </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">claim against the relief or remedy being sought. Thus, the factual situation in which the plaintiff relies to support his claim must be recognized by law </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:108%">as </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">giving rise to </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:119%">a </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-font-style:italic">substantive right capable </span><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:119%">of </span><span style="color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">being claimed or enforced against the defendant”</span></i><span style="color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width: 111%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">.<i> </i></span><span style="color:#646663"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;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:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">Counsel submitted that from the Abia State University Law, the 1</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853; mso-bidi-language:HE">st</span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant is a corporate sole that has the 2</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853; mso-bidi-language:HE">nd </span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">and 3</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853; mso-bidi-language:HE">r</span></sup><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">d</span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-bidi-language:HE"> Defendants as its officers. It can sue alone and be sued alone. In all the papers frontloaded before the Honourable Court, there is demonstrable evidence that the employment relationship was between the 1<sup>s</sup></span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853; mso-bidi-language:HE">t</span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant and its officers with the Claimant</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">The Claimant and the 4</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853;mso-font-width:129%; mso-bidi-language:HE">th</span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853;mso-font-width:129%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant does not have an employment relationship directly. Counsel referred to the case of <b>OGBEBO vs. INEC (2005) 15 NWLR (Pt 948) 374 at 399</b></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">-</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">400</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">paragraphs A-H where it was held that: <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:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-language:HE"> “It is improper to join </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:108%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">co-defendant to an action </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">a </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">person against whom the plaintiff has no cause </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:119%;mso-bidi-language: HE">of </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">action and against whom he has no claim. As I have pointed out earlier, </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">a </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">party is only relevant in a matter if there is </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">an </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">identifiable grievance to which the person suing him can claim </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">a </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">remedy against him. There is no such identifiable grievance in the appellant</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#545853;mso-font-width:111%; mso-bidi-language:HE">'</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#2A2E24;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language: HE">s claim before the court.” <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:#2A2E24;mso-bidi-language:HE">Further, counsel cited <b>ADEFARASIN vs. DAYEKH (2007) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1044) 89 at 121</b>, paragraphs C-O where the court 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";color:#484B46;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> “</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">where there is misjoinder </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">in this case, the Court is empowered, at any stage </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the proceedings and on such terms </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:117%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language:HE">appear </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:117%;mso-bidi-language:HE">on </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the court to be just in the circumstances, to order that the name or names </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">any party or parties, whether </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">plaintiffs or defendants, improperly joined, be struck out.” </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE"><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">Also in <b>Savannah Bank of Nigeria Ltd vs. Starite Industries Overseas Corporation (2001) I NWLR (Pt. 693) 194 at 212</b>, paragraphs G-H 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-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> <i>“If the plaintiff fails to institute </i></span><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">an </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">action against the proper party or parties </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">as a </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">result </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">of </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">which the party is wrongly joined, </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">no liability cannot be ascribable, then such a party is deemed wrongly joined and not liable, consequently the party is entitled to compensation by way of caused.” <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">It is counsel’s argument that the Defendant<span style="color:#484B46">/</span>objector did not h<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>re the Claimant/Respondent as borne out by the 15 paragraph statement of cla<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>m of the Claiman<span style="color:#484B46">t</span>/Respondent neither did he fire or d<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>smiss or withhold the emoluments of the Claimant/Respondent as also borne ou<span style="color:#484B46">t </span>by the sa<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>d statement of claim<span style="color:#484B46">. </span>Thus, this case can be dec<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>ded in the absence of the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant/objector<span style="color:#484B46">. </span>Counsel urged the court to strike out the 4<sup>th</sup><span style="color:#484B46"> </span>Defendant<span style="color:#484B46">/</span>Objector from t<span style="color:#484B46">h</span>e record of this court in this suit<span style="color:#484B46">.<o:p></o:p></span></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">Alternatively, counsel framed another issue for determ<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>nation in the event the preceding objection fails as follows<span style="color:#484B46">: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">Whether the cause of act<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>on to sue on the Gove<span style="color:#484B46">r</span>nmen<span style="color:#484B46">t </span>whi<span style="color:#484B46">t</span>e paper on the<span style="color:#E6C6A6">. </span>report of a 7 man Judicial Panel of Inquiry headed by Hon. Justice C.O.C. Izima on the Security Breach at Abia State University<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>Church on Wednesday<span style="color:#484B46">, </span>January<span style="color: #484B46">, </span>21<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>2009 published on May<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>2010 <span style="color:#484B46">i</span>s statute barred<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>no legal action having been <span style="color:#484B46">i</span>nstituted fo<span style="color:#484B46">r i</span>ts enfo<span style="color:#484B46">r</span>cement of its recommendation within three months as <span style="color:#484B46">r</span>equ<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>red by Sect<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>on 2<span style="color:#484B46">(</span>a) of the Public Officers Protection Law<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>Cap <span style="color:#484B46">1</span>40<span style="color:#484B46">, L</span>aws o<span style="color:#484B46">f </span>Ab<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>a State<span style="color:#484B46">, (</span>2005<span style="color:#484B46">). <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></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">Counsel argued that the only claim in the instant suit borders on the alleged enforcement o<span style="color:#484B46">f </span>t<span style="color:#484B46">h</span>e w<span style="color:#484B46">hi</span>te paper <span style="color:#484B46">r</span>ecomme<span style="color:#484B46">n</span>dat<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>o<span style="color:#484B46">n </span>of the Abia <span style="color:#31352D">State Government published in May, 2010. He argued that the Claimant/Respondent had a three month period of opportunity to sue the Abia State Government over the enforcement of this recommendation. Having not done so, counsel submitted, the Claimant’s action to enforce the alleged recommendation against the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant/Objector had long expired or lapsed on the last day of August, 2010. Thus, the foundation for bringing this enforcement is statute </span>barred<span style="color:#5C6666">. </span><span style="color:#31352D">See <b>Sani vs. Okene Local Government Traditional Council (2008) 34 (2) NSCQR 979 at 990</b>, paragraphs A-B</span> <span style="color:#31352D;mso-font-width:107%">and </span><span style="color:#31352D">Section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Law. </span>Counsel urged the Court to dismiss the suit against the 4<sup>th</sup><span style="color:#5C6666"> </span>Defendant/Objector. <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""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On 19/04/2016, claimant's counsel filed a Reply to both preliminary objections </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">vide a motion for extension of time granted on 19/4/2016. Claimant’s counsel submitted that from the applications of the Defendants three issues are discernable as follows:</span><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#31352D;mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#565C5F;mso-bidi-language:HE">1.<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the cause of action in this case is a fixed or continuous one</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#565C5F; mso-bidi-language:HE">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#565C5F;mso-bidi-language:HE">2.<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether Abia State Government as represented by the 4</span></i><i><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">th</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">i</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">s </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">a <br> </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">public officer. </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#565C5F; mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#565C5F;mso-bidi-language:HE">3.<span style="font-style: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether this suit falls within the exceptions to the Public Office</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">r</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">s Protection Law avails the Defendants in this case</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#565C5F;mso-bidi-language:HE">. <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:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">As his initial submission, counsel urged the Court to discountenance the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendan</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">t</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#808585;mso-bidi-language:HE">'</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">objection that there </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">s no cause of action against him in this suit because </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">s</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">uc</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">h </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">defense can only be raised in his statement of defence which he did </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">n</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">ot file in this case. He submitted further that the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant Attorney-General represents the Ab</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">ia </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">State Government (the owner of the 1</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">st </span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant as stated in paragrap</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">h </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">2 of the Statement of Fact) that published the Government White Paper </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">n issue in this case</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#565C5F; mso-bidi-language:HE">. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">It is the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">'</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">s recommendation that this Co</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE">urt </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">is called upon to enforce in this case and as such</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#565C5F;mso-bidi-language:HE">, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">the 4</span><sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">th</span></sup><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">Defendant </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language: HE">i</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:#232B29;mso-bidi-language:HE">s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#3F4646;mso-bidi-language:HE">a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#232B29; mso-bidi-language:HE">necessary party in this case. Also, counsel contended that t</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">he 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant's argument on the corporate and statutory personality of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is illogical in all ramifications. Counsel contended further that the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant failed in its duty to compel the 1<sup>st</sup> - 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants to comply with its said White Paper. He argued that the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant<span style="color:#4A5253">'</span>s said argument therefore begs the question on why Abia State Government set up a judicial panel of enquiry on the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant if the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant is independent as claimed. Counsel submitted that issues on independence<span style="color:#4A5253"> </span>can only be resolved in the trial of this suit and not at this preliminary stage<span style="color:#6C7374">. </span><span style="color:#232B29"><o:p></o:p></span></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">On issue one; counsel submitted that there is no legal provision that limits the l<span style="color:#4A5253">i</span>fe span of the Government White Paper to 3 months. He submitted further that the preliminary objections are misleading in all respect because <span style="color:#4A5253">i</span>t gives the impression that the 1<sup>st </sup>- 3<sup>rd</sup> Respondents were only given <span style="color:#4A5253">3 </span>months to comply with the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant<span style="color:#6C7374">'</span>s White Paper of May 2010 after which the White Paper becomes useless and unenforceable<span style="color:#6C7374">. </span>Regarding issue two, counsel submitted that the Abia State Government as represented by the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant is not a public officer recognized or contemplated by the Public Officers Protection Law Abia State and therefore cannot seek protection under the law. The 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant is merely representing Abia State Government<span style="color:#4A5253">, </span>the owner of the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant and the employer of the 2<sup>nd </sup>and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants and the Claimant.<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:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">With respect to issue three, counsel submitted that in the event that this action ought to have been brought within 3 months of the Abia State Government's publication of the said White Paper in May 2010, the Defendants in this suit cannot seek protection under the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Law and is therefore the suit is competent. It is counsel’s further submission that the 1<sup>st </sup>- 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants are in abuse of their offices for not complying with the direction of the white paper to re-instate the Claimant on grounds of malice and such an abuse comes within the exceptions of the application of Public Officers Protection Law aforesaid. Counsel argued that the refusal of the 1<sup>st </sup>- 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants to so comply also amounts to bad faith and as such precludes the 1<sup>st </sup>- 3<sup>rd </sup>Defendants from taking refuge under the protection of the law. See <b>EGBE vs. ALHAJI (1990) 21 NSCC (Pt. 1) 306</b>. <i><o:p></o:p></i></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">The Claimant, in paragraph 11 (i) to (xxviii), stated the transactions that led to the malicious termination of his employment with the 1<sup>st </sup>Defendant. Counsel referred to the case of <b>IBETO CEMENT CO. LTD. vs. AG FEDERATION (2008) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1069) 470</b> where the Court held as follows: <i><o:p></o:p></i></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-bidi-language:HE">“Where malice is established on the part of a public officer, in the exercise of the administrative powers conferred on him by Section 22(1) of the Federal High Court Act.1973. the protection afforded him by Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act would cease to avail him. See EGBE vs. BELGORE (2004) 8 NWLR (Pt. 875) 336: NWANKWERE vs. ADEWUNMI (1966) 1 SCNLR 356: OFFOBOCHE vs. OGOJA L.G (2001) 16 NWLR (Pt. 739) 458.” <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">Counsel urged the <span style="color:#384040">C</span>o<span style="color:#384040">urt to </span>dismiss the preliminary objections and order accelerated hea<span style="color:#384040">ri</span>ng o<span style="color:#384040">f this </span><a name="_GoBack"></a>case<span style="color:#636A6E">. <o:p></o:p></span></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:2.5in"><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"">From the foregoing, the 2 sets of Defendants are objecting to the competence of this suit and the jurisdiction of this court to entertain same. On the part of the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant, its objection is premised on the grounds that there is improper joinder of the 2<sup>nd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> Defendants and that the suit is statute barred. The contention of the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants on the other hand is solely on the ground that the Claimant’s suit is statute barred. The issue of the Claimant’s suit being statute barred is common in the objections of the parties. Since the issue affects the life of the suit, I prefer to consider it first before looking into the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant’s complaint of improper joinder.<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""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the written address of the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant’s counsel, he submitted that the Claimant’s cause of action arose from the Government White Paper </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">published in May<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>2010 with regard to the<span style="color:#E6C6A6">.</span>report of a 7-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry headed by Hon. Justice C. O. C. Izima on the security breach at Abia State University on 21<sup>st</sup> January<span style="color:#484B46"> </span>2009. Counsel further argued that the Claimant’s suit <span style="color:#484B46">i</span>s statute barred by the effect of Section 2<span style="color:#484B46">(</span>a) of the Public Officers Protection Law<span style="color:#5D605D">, </span>Cap <span style="color:#484B46">1</span>40<span style="color:#484B46">, L</span>aws o<span style="color:#484B46">f </span>Ab<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>a State<span style="color:#484B46">, </span>2005 because he didn’t bring this action within three months as <span style="color:#484B46">r</span>equ<span style="color:#484B46">i</span>red by the law. The facts of the</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Preliminary Objection of the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants as deposed in the affidavit in support is that the Defendants are public officers and the acts of the Defendants which the Claimant is </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">complaining about was done by the Defendants in their capacity as public officers, which act occurred in the months of December 2008 and May 2010. The Claimant initiated this suit on 18/12/2014 which is more than 3 (three) months after the occurrence of the act.<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""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The basis of the Defendants’ contention that the Claimant’s suit is statute barred is the Provision of S</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">ection 2 of the Public Officers Protection Law, Laws of Abia State, 2005. The section provide-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">“Where any action, prosecution or other proceeding is commenced against any person for any act done in pursuance or execution </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">any alleged neglect or default in the execution </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">any such law, duty or authority, the following provisions shall have effect. </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo13"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(a)<span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The action, prosecution or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months next after the act, neglect complained </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of, </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">or in case </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of a </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">continuance </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">damage or injury, within three months next after the ceasing thereof.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">By the above provision, an action against a public officer in respect of any act done in pursuance or execution of any Act or law or of public duty or any default in respect of same can only be commenced within 3 months of the accrual of the cause of action except in the case of continuance of the damage or injury, in which case the Claimant must institute the action within 3 months after the cessation of the damage or injury. Where the suit is not commenced within the prescribed period, the effect is that the Claimant’s right of action in respect of that cause will be statute barred and the court will no longer have jurisdiction to entertain the suit. See <b>IBRAHIM vs. J.S.C, KADUNA STATE (1998) 12 SC 20; EGBE vs. ALHAJI (1990) 3 S.C (Pt.1) 63; NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA vs. NWEKE (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 428) 343.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the affidavit of the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants, it was deposed that the Defendants are public officers. In the Reply of the Claimant’s counsel to the Notices of Preliminary Objection, counsel did not dispute the fact that the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants are public officers but submitted that the Abia State Government, which is represented by the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant in this suit, is not a public officer as contemplated under the Public Officers’ Protection Law of Abia State. The Claimant’s counsel made this point notwithstanding that the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant on record is the Attorney-General of Abia State. The contention of the Claimant’s counsel, in my view, implies that both the Attorney General of Abia State and the Abia State Government, the office of Attorney General was sued to represent, are not public officers. Having made this assertion, the Claimant’s counsel failed to buttress the point. Counsel did not convince me that both the Attorney General of Abia State and the Abia State Government are not public officers. In any case, both Abia State and the office of the Attorney General of a state are constitutional creations. See Sections 3 (1) and 195 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. The meaning of the term “public officer” or “any person” as used in Section 2 of Public Officers Protection Act has been interpreted by the Supreme Court in <b>IBRAHIM vs. J.S.C KADUNA STATE (SUPRA)</b> to mean not only natural persons but extends to public bodies or offices created by statutes, artificial persons, institutions or persons sued in their official names or titles. At page 40 of the report, the learned jurist, Iguh J.S.C (as he then was) observed that-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“It is beyond argument that government positions such as Attorney-General, permanent secretary, Inspector-General of police etc, although “public officers” they are nonetheless “public officers” in law. I cannot, with respect, accept that an Attorney-General, Permanent Secretary or the Inspector-General of police is not a “public officer” as known to law.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:105.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In my view, Abia State or the Attorney-General of Abia State, on record as the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant, come within the meaning of the term “public officer”. The implication is that all the Defendants sued in this case are public officers. The complaint of the Claimant in this suit relate to the refusal of the Defendants to comply with a Government White Paper. That is to say the Defendants were sued in respect of an </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">alleged neglect or default in the execution </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">of their public </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">duty or authority</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. There is no doubt therefore that the Defendants can seek to take protection under Section 2 (a) of the Public Officers’ Protection Law of Abia State.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The only issue remaining is to determine whether the Claimant filed this suit against the Defendants within 3 months of the accrual of the cause of action. In doing so, there is need to find out when the Claimant’s cause of action arose and when he filed this suit. There appears to be no dispute as to when the suit was filed. The Defendants’ affidavits state the date of filing of this suit to be 18/12/2014. An examination of the endorsement on the Complaint reveals that the Complaint was filed before the Registry of this court on 18/12/2014. The area of disagreement between the parties is the exact time the Claimant’s cause of action arose. While the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant’s counsel submitted that the cause of action arose on the publication of the Government White Paper in May 2010, it was deposed in the affidavit of the 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants that the Claimant’s cause of action arose in December 2008 and May 2010. To the Claimant, the act of the Defendants being a continuing injury, his cause of action was not foreclosed at the time the suit was filed. It is in view of these varied contentions that the date of the Claimant’s cause of action need to be resolved. This is where the crux of this matter lies. Whether or not the Claimant’s suit is statute barred depends on the date the cause of action arose.<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:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The case/claim of the Claimant is founded on the Abia State Government white Paper of May 2010. See relief (i) of the Complaint and the averments of the Claimant in paragraph 15 of the Claimant’s statements of facts. In paragraph 11 (xxi) to (xxv), it is the Claimant case that the Government white paper was published in May 2010 wherein the Abia State Government accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that the Claimant be recalled to his employment. The Claimant presented himself to the Defendants for re-instatement to his employment following the White Paper but the Defendant’s refused to do so. He consequently caused his solicitors to write a letter to the Defendants on the matter but the Defendants still refused to comply with the White Paper. It is on the basis of these facts the Claimant sought in relief (i) an order directing the Defendants to comply with directive of the Abia State Government White Paper of May 2010. From the facts of his case, the Claimant found his claim to re-instatement into the employment of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant on the said Government White paper published in May 2010 which directed the recall of the Claimant to his employment. When the Claimant pleaded in paragraph 11 (xxii) that he presented himself to the Defendants for reinstatement after the publication of the White paper but the Defendants refused to comply with the white paper, the Claimant’s cause of action on the subject of compliance with the white paper arose at that moment. A cause of action is said to accrue when it can be said or there exists in the person who can sue and another who can be sued and all facts have happened which are material to be proved to entitle the plaintiff to succeed. In </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">BANK OF THE NORTH vs. GANA (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 296) 862</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">at 881</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">, it was held that a cause of action </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">arises at the date or time when a breach or any act that will warrant the person who is adversely affected by the act to take action in court. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In <b>DAWODU vs. AJOSE (2011) All FWLR (Pt. 580) 1334 at 1348</b> it was stated that-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">“Time begins to run for the filing of an action when the cause of action arose. This means that once there exist two people with interest at variance to each other over a subject matter, then the aggrieved party must go to court timeously.</span></b><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"><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;">Accordingly, the moment the Defendants refused to comply with the white paper when the Claimant presented himself for re-instatement, a dispute or breach has occurred which entitled the Claimant to seek redress in court. I observe however that the Claimant did not plead the date or period when he allegedly presented himself to the Defendants for re-instatement. In paragraph 11 (xxiii) of the statement of facts, the Claimant pleaded that on 1/9/2011, his solicitor wrote to the Defendants to notify them of the Claimant’s intention to commence legal action on account of the Defendants refusal to comply with the White Paper. This letter was written after the Claimant allegedly presented himself for re-instatement. By inference, the Claimant’s cause of action arose before 1/9/2011. I find that the Claimant’s cause of action arose before 1/9/2011 but he filed this suit on 18/12/2014. Between the time his cause of action arose and the time he filed this suit was period of more than 3 years. <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 Claimant’s counsel submitted that the Defendants’ refusal to reinstate the Claimant after the Government White Paper is a continuous act not caught by the Public Officers’ Protection Law. With due respect to the learned counsel for the Claimant, that is hardly the position in this case. The incidence in dispute in this case is the refusal of the Defendants to reinstate the Claimant. The Defendant took that action on a particular day and the Claimant was aware of that action. From the day of the Defendants’ refusal, all facts had happened which were material to enable the Claimant to approach the court and the time started counting against him from that day. I do not see the Defendants’ alleged refusal in 2010/2011 to reinstate the Claimant as a continuous act.<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" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:132.0pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The Claimant’s counsel also argued that the Defendants cannot be covered by Section 2 (a) of the Public Officers’ Protection Law of Abia State because they acted maliciously and in abuse of their office. The law is trite that a public officer who acted outside his constitutional or statutory duties or who acted outside the colour of his office or acted in bad faith or in abuse of office will not be entitled to the protection under the Public Officers’ Protection Act. See <b>OFFOBOCHE vs. OGOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT (2001) FWLR (Pt. 68) 1051 at 1067; KASANDUBU vs. ULTIMATE PETROLEUM LTD (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 417) 155 at 182. </b>However, the question whether the Defendants acted in abuse of their office or maliciously can be considered at this point only if the action had been commenced against the Defendants within the 3 months from the time the cause of action arose. In <b>EGBE vs. ALHAJI (SUPRA); KASANDUBU vs. ULTIMATE PETROLEUM LTD (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 417) 155 at 182,</b> it was held that a public officer who in the course of performance of public duty does so maliciously or for private spite or acted out the colour of his office will have no protection under Section 2 of the Public Officers’ Protection Act only if the action is filed against him within 3 months of the accrual of the cause of action. It should be mentioned that the Defendants raised this preliminary objection <i>in limine</i> and the facts which this court will examine to determine it is the pleading of the Claimant only. At this stage, what this court is called upon to determine is whether the suit is competent and not whether the Defendant is liable. The questions whether the Defendants acted maliciously or in abuse of their office can only be considered by the court if the action was filed against the Defendant within the prescribed three months from the date the cause of action arose. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:132.0pt"><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 conclusion, it is clear from the foregoing that this suit was filed more than 3 months from the date the cause of action arose. The Claimant did not commence this suit against the Defendants within the statutorily prescribed 3 months. I find that the suit is statute barred. This court therefore has no jurisdiction to entertain the Claimant’s case in the first place. The suit is accordingly dismissed. No order as to cost.<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;">Ruling is entered accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; 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;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Hon. Justice O. Y. Anuwe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Judge</span><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>