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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Representation</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Obinna Ohaneje for the Claimant<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">L. E. Onyeamanam (Miss) Assistant Chief State Counsel, for the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Defendants<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">P.E Chima with J. Ogali (Miss) for the party sought to be joined<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:center; text-indent:-.25in"><b><u><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:center; text-indent:-.25in"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">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">On 9<sup>th</sup> March 2016, applicant’s Counsel filed a motion on notice pursuant to Order 11(1) of the National Industrial Court Rules and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Court, in which he sought for <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">an order joining the applicant Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu as the 4<sup>th</sup> Defendant in this suit. The grounds upon which the application was brought are as follows:<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">1. The Applicant has a strong interest in the subject of matter of the substantive 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">2. That the Applicant has shown interest in the subject of this and will be affected by the decision of the Court as already shown. <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">3. That the Honourable Court cannot come to effective determination of this suit, without hearing the Applicant, whose interest will be affected most. <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 was supported by a 12-paragraph supporting affidavit deposed to by the</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> party sought to be joined</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu. 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-bidi-language: HE">Whether from the facts and circumstances of this matter especially as borne out by the affidavit evidence before the court, it would be a proper exercise to join the applicant as a co-defendant in this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></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">Counsel submitted that the Applicant has shown, that he has interest in the subject of the suit, without involving him, the claimant will deceive the court and obtain judgment even to the detriment of the Applicant in the subject matter of this suit. It is counsel’s submission that the Applicant is a necessary party that ought to be joined in this action. In making this submission, counsel referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of <b>A.G. FEDERATION vs. A. G. ABIA STATE [2001] Vol. 6 MJSC 89 ratio 9</b>,<b> </b>where it was held thus:<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: 106%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">“the test </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">to </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">be applied in determining whether to join a person as a party to an action is whether the person joined will have his interest irreparably prejudiced if an order joining him as a party is not </span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 112%;mso-bidi-language:HE">made.” <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 the further submission of counsel that although there might be an unwilling claimant, there are situations where a defendant can insist that he be allowed to join against the claimants to protect him against the ill effect of the reliefs that the claimant might obtain from the Court. See <b>M. W. U. N. vs. LABOUR & PROD [2005] 17 NWLR (Pt. 953) 120 at 132</b>. In the instant suit, Counsel argued that the claimant's relief will adversely affect the Applicant's interest in the subject matter if eventually granted, and the only way the Applicant can protect and defend his interest is by being joined as a party. This will also enable the Applicant to join issues with the claimant, as a co-defendant on record. <b><o:p></o:p></b></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 the claimant and the defendants on record will not be prejudiced in any way by the order of the Honourable Court joining the Applicant in this suit, and it will be in the interest of justice to grant this Application. <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">Furthermore, Counsel submitted that by Order 11(1) of the National Industrial Court Rules, it is purely within the discretion of this Honourable Court to join any person as a co–defendant to a pending suit and this discretion is usually exercised judiciously and judicially. It is the contention of Counsel that it is settled law that only a person whose presence is "necessary" as a party should be joined in an action. In other words, a necessary party is a party who is not interested in the subject matter of the proceedings, but who in his absence the proceedings could not be fairly dealt with. See <b>JADESIMI vs. OKOTIE EBOH: IN RE LESSEY [1984] 4 WLR (Pt. 33) at 116 ratios 3 and 4</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:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">It is Counsel’s opinion that</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> the question to be determined when a third party is seeking an order of joinder is as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[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">Whether the cause or matter is liable to be defeated by the non-joinder of the third party as defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[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">Is the third party a person who ought to have been joined as a defendant in the first instance? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><!--[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">Will the third party whose presence before the court as defendant be necessary in order to enable the court to effectively and completely adjudicate upon and settle all the questions? <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 urged the court to hold that the Applicant seeking, to be joined as 4<sup>th</sup> defendant in this suit be joined since the Applicant has an interest to defend.<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 opposition to the motion for the joinder, the claimant filed a counter affidavit of 11 paragraphs on 5<sup>th</sup> May 2016. In the written address filed alongside, Counsel formulated one issue for determination thus: <b><i>whether from the circumstances of this case, the Court should grant the application for joinder of the party seeking to be joined as Defendant in this suit.<o:p></o:p></i></b></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 his argument, counsel stated that it is trite that anyone who approaches the law Court seeking for any relief has the duty to prove his entitlement to his claims. See Section 131 Evidence Act 2011. In order to do this, such a person has to place sufficient materials before the court to persuade the court into granting such reliefs/claims. Counsel argued that the Applicant has failed to place such sufficient materials before the Court to entitle him to be joined as a party to this suit. Counsel relied on the case of <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">MBANEFO vs. MOLOKWU<i> </i>(2014) </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">2 KLR 579 at 584</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> and submitted that a Plaintiff/Claimant is at liberty to choose who to prosecute and that the court cannot compel him to proceed against anyone whom he has no desire to prosecute except: <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">(a) Where a very strong case is made out, showing that in a particular case, justice cannot be done and the case cannot be properly determined without the new defendant being brought in; or <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) When the plaintiff's case or the existing defendant's case cannot be very effectually and completely determined without the joinder. <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">On the questions that will guide the court before making an order for joinder, counsel referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in <b>LAGOS STATE BULK PURCHASE CORPORATION vs. PURIFICATION TECHNIQUES (NIG) LTD. (2013) MRSCJ VOL. 11,132 at 138</b> where it was held that for a person to be joined as a Defendant there are some vital questions which need to be answered:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[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">(a)<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">Is it possible for the trial court to adjudicate upon the cause of action set up by the Plaintiff unless the person is added as a Defendant? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[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">(b)<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">Is the person someone who ought to have been joined as a Defendant in the first instance? and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><!--[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">(c)<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">As an alternative, is the person someone whose presence before the court as Defendant will be necessary in order to enable the court effectually and completely to adjudicate upon and settle all the questions involved in the cause? <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 argued further that juxtaposing the answers to these questions with the issues raised by the Claimant in the substantive suit shows that the application for joinder lacks merit, and ought to be dismissed. It is counsel’s submission that it is possible to adjudicate the issues raised in the substantive suit without joining the applicant. What the Claimant is demanding for does not concern the applicant and will not affect him in any way. The issues in the suit are between the Claimant and the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly; the Clerk, Imo State House of Assembly and the Imo State House of Assembly. Counsel submitted that following the annulment of the Applicant's election to the Imo State House of Assembly, the applicant ceased to have any business whatsoever in this suit as presently filed by the Claimant in this Honourable Court. It is the further contention of counsel that as averred in paragraph 4 of the counter-affidavit, the applicant's election to the Imo State House of Assembly was nullified by the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Petition No: EPT/IM/SHA/.02/2012 and subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal; the applicant ceased to be a member of the House, no longer entitled to anything accruing to the Oguta seat which he rightfully received while he was in the House and until the nullification of his election. Thereafter, the Claimant was sworn into the House and became the representative of the Oguta Constituency, constitutionally and legally entitled to receive all the benefits formerly received by applicant. <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 it is not in issue who is entitled to the benefits. Any challenge to the claimant’s candidature is a matter outside the jurisdiction of this court. It is counsel’s opinion that joining the applicant to this suit will do more harm than good. Counsel further submitted that by the decision in <b>MBANEFO vs. MOLOKWU (supra)</b> the applicant is not a necessary party to this suit. The Applicant has not shown how he will be affected by this suit, or his interest in this suit’s subject matter, or how he will be affected by the outcome of this suit. It is the argument of counsel that joining the Applicant to this suit will have the effect of reopening issues that have been determined by the Election Petition Tribunal, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.<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">Again, by filing an appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, the applicant has admitted that he no longer has the right to anything in the claimant's suit; the law being that the entering of judgment in a suit settles all the issues raised in a case and extinguishes all the rights hitherto bestowed on a party who lost in the case, that the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction whether given in error or mistake is valid and subsisting until set aside, an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution. See the cases of:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:39.15pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><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-style: italic">1.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">NWORA vs. NWABUEZE (2011) 2 M.J.S.C (Pt. 1)77 at </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">80</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style: italic">;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:39.15pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><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-style: italic">2.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">NGERE vs. OKURUKET (2014) 7 KLR 3091 at 3093-3094; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:39.15pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><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-style: italic">3.<span style="font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">OLEKSANDRA </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:82%;mso-bidi-language:HE">& </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">ORS. vs. LONESTAR DRILLING CO. LTD. </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:82%;mso-bidi-language: HE">& </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">ANOR. (2015) 4 M.J.S.C. </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:122%;mso-bidi-language:HE">1 </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">at </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:122%;mso-bidi-language:HE">6.</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> <o:p></o:p></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">Furthermore, it is counsel’s argument that the notice of appeal annexed to the application for joinder has long expired, having failed to comply with the rules of court regarding appeal and there is a motion for its dismissal in the Court of Appeal. See paragraph 9f of this counter-affidavit and the annexed Exhibit D. A joinder of the applicant to the substantive suit before the determination of the motion pending at the Court of Appeal will therefore amount to overreaching the Court of Appeal or an academic exercise which the Supreme has severally warned Courts to refrain from. See <b>UGBA vs. SUSWAM (2014) 5 KLR (Pt. 348) 2127 at 2130</b><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">Counsel submitted that in the event that the Court holds that the applicant is a necessary party to this suit, the law as stated by the Supreme Court also is that failure to join a necessary party (in this case, the applicant) will not render the decision of this Court a nullity or render the Court incompetent to adjudicate this matter. See <b>BELLO vs. INEC (2010) 3 MJSC (Pt. 111) 1 at 7</b>.<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">The Court was urged to refuse the application for joinder and let the Claimant continue with his suit as filed in this Honourable 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">On 9<sup>th</sup> May 2016, the Applicant/party sought to be joined filed a 10-paragraph further affidavit in support of the motion for joinder deposed to by one F. N. DIBIAGWU ESQ, wherein he deposed to further facts in support of this application.<b> </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="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: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">This application was brought by </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu, seeking an order of this court joining him as the 4<sup>th</sup> defendant in this suit. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the affidavit he filed in support of his application, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu gave the reason he is interested in being joined as a defendant. He averred that he</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> contested for the Oguta State constituency against the claimant in the 2011 general Elections but the election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As a result of the declaration by INEC, there were litigations in court for a pronouncement as to who between the applicant and the claimant should be the member representing Oguta State constituency. There is a judgment of the Federal High Court upholding the position of INEC that the election was inconclusive but held that the Claimant was qualified to participate in the concluding part of the election. Consequently, no certificate of Return was issued to any of them and INEC clarified this position in a letter annexed by the applicant as Exhibit A that no certificate of return was issued to any person. The applicant also annexed Exhibit B to show that there is a pending appeal against the said Judgment of the Federal High Court. The applicant concluded that he is a necessary party in 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;">There is also a further affidavit deposed by one </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">F. N. Dibiagwu, Esq</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> who said he is the elder brother to the applicant. It is his deposition that the claimant was not the immediate past member that represented the Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly and that the purported swearing-in of the claimant as the member representing Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly is the subject of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/OW/40M/2015. He also said that the claimant did not merit any salaries or allowances paid to him. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">F. N. Dibiagwu, Esq concluded that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">the applicant is a necessary and interested party to be joined in this suit for effective determination of 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 claimant, in his counter affidavit filed against the application, urged the court not to join the applicant to this suit. His reasons, as deposed by him are that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">the applicant has no interest in this suit; he is not a necessary party to the suit and the issues in the suit be resolved without joining the applicant. The claimant explained that he was the immediate past member of the Imo State House of Assembly representing the Oguta Constituency of Imo the State. He was sworn into the house only three months before the end of the 7<sup>th</sup> House as a result of protracted litigation. His swearing in was by virtue of a court order and after being sworn in, he assumed his position and duties in the Imo State House of Assembly as the Hon. Member representing the Oguta Constituency in the House and entitled to all the rights accruing to the office. He filed this suit to claim the entitlements due to him. The claimant further averred that the election of the applicant as the member representing Oguta Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly was nullified by the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal on 20<sup>th</sup> February, 2013 in Petition No: EPT/IM/SHA/.02/2012 and the nullification was upheld by the Court of Appeal. The applicant subsequently filed another Suit No: FHC/OW/CS/171/2013 at the Federal High Court, Owerri but the suit was dismissed in a judgment delivered on 25<sup>th</sup> March, 2015. A certified true copy of the judgment was annexed by the claimant as Exhibit A. Although search at the Registry of the Federal High Court reveals that the applicant filed an appeal against the judgment, the applicant has abandoned the appeal which appeal does not have anything to do with 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;">As rightly submitted by the counsels to the parties in their addresses, there are established principles the court considers in an application for joinder of a party to a suit. </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">IN RE OMIDIJI (OLASENI vs. OLASENI) (2001) FWLR (Pt. 35) 735 at 747</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, the criteria for adding parties to a suit or the category of persons who may be joined as parties to an action was set out 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 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Those persons who will be directly, legally or financially affected by an order made or likely to be made;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Those persons whose presence before the court is necessary or would be necessary to enable the court to properly and effectually determine the matter before it once and for all;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Where the person would be bound or likely to be affected by the result of the decision;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Where the issue or question arising out of the claim in the suit may also exist between that person and one of the persons to the action.<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 Court of Appeal in <b>DAAR COMMUNICATIONS (NIG.) LTD. vs. WASA DELMA NIG. LTD. (2012) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1287) 370</b> stated the principle this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;tab-stops: 63.0pt"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">“In an application for joinder, it is only a necessary party, that is, a person in whose absence as a party a question in the action cannot be effectively and completely settled that can be joined. The person to be joined must be somebody whose presence is necessary as a party, and the only reason which makes him a necessary party to an action is that he should be bound by the result of the action and the question to be settled. There must be a question in the action which cannot be effectively and completely settled unless he is a party.”</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><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;">In <b>EFFIOM vs. IRONBAR (2001) FWLR (Pt. 53) 137 </b>it was held at page 153 that where the determination of an action between two parties would directly affect a third party’s legal right or his pecuniary interest, the court has a discretion to order the third party to be added as a party. The court further held at page 154 of the report as follows-<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;">“It is correct statement of the law that the court does not join a party in a suit for the fun or sake of it. There must be a cause of action disclosed by the plaintiff or an applicant against the party sought to be joined before the court can order for joinder</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; 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;">See also <b>GREEN vs. GREEN (1987) 3 NWLR (Pt. 61) 480</b>; <b>OKOMU OIL PALM CO. LTD vs. ISERHIENRHIEN (2001) FWLR (Pt. 45) 670 at 690</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;">The case of the claimant is against the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly; the Clerk, Imo State House of Assembly and the Imo State House of Assembly as defendants and his claim against them is for payment of his accrued salaries and allowances as member of the 7<sup>th</sup> Imo State House of Assembly. In the facts in support of his application, the applicant did not say anywhere that he is entitled to the same salaries and allowances being claimed by the claimant. He has not also shown that the claim will affect his </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">affect legal right or </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">pecuniary interest or the one against whom the claim is made. He has not also shown how the result of the suit will be binding on him. Rather, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">what the application discloses is the applicant’s issue with the due election or the propriety of the swearing in of the claimant as a member of the Imo State House of Assembly. This is the issue the applicant will be contending if joined. This court does not have jurisdiction in election matters or on the issue of swearing in of elected representatives. Therefore, joining the applicant to this suit will not be of any use in the determination of the claim of the claimant before this court.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; 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;">Upon appraisal of this application, I think that the claim of the claimant can be determined without the presence of the applicant in this suit. The defendants against whom the claim is brought can answer to the claim. I also observe that the claimant’s claim will not affect the applicant in anyway. Consequently, the application fails and it is 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><span style="font-size: 12pt; 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"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size:1.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p>