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"">O. Alamba, with the brief of Kissinger Ikeokwu for the Claimant/Respondent<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">S. Odunwo for the Defendants/Applicants<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:.5in"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">RULING<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"">This action was commenced way of complaint dated and filed on the 9<sup>th</sup> day of June 2014wherein the Claimant claimed against the Defendants as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;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-font-width:105%;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"">A declaration that by the provisions of the Trade Union Act, the Defendants cannot compel the employees of the Claimants to join or become members of its union.</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: -.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-font-width:105%;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-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">A declaration that the Defendants cannot set out a date, organize an election or force the Claimant’s employees to join their union without recourse to the contract between the Claimant and its employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;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-font-width:105%;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-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">An order of injunction restraining the Defendants from organizing or fixing a date to purport to conduct an election compelling the employees of the Claimant to elect executives for the Defendant’s union.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;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-font-width:105%;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-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">An order of injunction restraining the Defendants from conducting an election or purporting to elect officers of its union among the Claimant’s employees on 12<sup>th</sup> June 2014 or any date whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;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-font-width:105%;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-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">An order of perpetual injunction prohibiting the Defendants from interfering with the lawful business of the Claimant.<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"">On the 27<sup>th</sup> day of August 2014, the defendants/applicants filed a Preliminary Objection, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">pursuant to Section 6(6)(b)of the 1999 Constitution, Order 9 Rule 1 of the National Industrial Court Rules, 2007, and under the inherent powers of the court, urging the court to strike out the entire suit together with the claimant’s pending motion on notice for lack of competent jurisdiction to entertain it; otherwise dismiss it for being an abuse of the process of court. The grounds for the objection are as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:106%;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-font-width: 106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The suit is not properly constituted as to parties as the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant as currently constituted is not known to law. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:106%;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-font-width: 106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is not a necessary or proper party but has been misjoined. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:106%;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-font-width: 106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The suit does not disclose any justiciable dispute between the claimant and the defendants within </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:116%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.5in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-width:106%;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-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language:HE">The process is a wrong process served on the defendants and is incompetent.<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-font-width:107%;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:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In support of the preliminary objection is a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE">Benjamin U. Ogewubu, a Lawyer in the defendants/applicants counsel’s Law Office.<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:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In the supporting written address, counsel identified four issues for determination as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 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:107%;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-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the claimant's originating process is not a wrong process, as such not properly before the Court to activate the jurisdiction of the Court. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 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:107%;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-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the defendants are properly before the Court and if the answer is in the negative, whether the Court can make a binding order on the defendants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 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:107%;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-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether in any event, the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is a necessary party and has not been wrongly joined in the suit. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l4 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:107%;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-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether in the circumstances of the case, the court ought not to set aside the service of the originating process on the defendants and strike out the suit as <br> incompetent. <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-font-width:106%;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:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In his argument,</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> all the issues were lumped together. It is counsel’s opinion that the originating process before the Court, together with all other processes, is a false or wrong process which cannot activate the jurisdiction of the Court. This is owing to the fact that the originating process must name proper parties and disclose a justiciable dispute between the parties to be worthy of Court's attention. It is counsel’s submission that the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant is not a body known to law and the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant has no relationship or connection with the said 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. Counsel cited the case of </span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE AIRLINE OPERATORS OF NIGERIA vs. NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY [2014] 8 NWLR (Pt.1408) 1 at 30, </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:114%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">where<b> </b></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">the Supreme Court held that </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">an action cannot be maintained against a defendant who, as sued is not a legal person or a juristic or legal personality. <b> </b></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE">It is the defendants counsel’s argument that the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant is a creation of the Trade Unions Act which has named it </span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 114%;mso-bidi-language:HE">NATIONAL UNION OF CIVIL </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, FURNUTURE AND WOOD WORKERS</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">. This is the only name by which it can sue or be sued. It cannot be sued in the name of <b>REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF NATIONAL UNION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, FURNUTURE AND WOOD WORKERS</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:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">More so, counsel submitted that the two defendants as constituted in the suit have not had any dealing or relationship with the claimant as has caused any dispute within Section 6 (6) (b) of the Constitution for the court to assume jurisdiction and make a binding order. Counsel argued that in the circumstance, the defendants cannot be proper parties to the suit; particularly as no justiciable dispute can be said to exist or disclosed between parties who have not been in any dealing or relationship. <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-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:105%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Specifically on issue four, counsel submitted that flowing from the foregoing, where an originating process is a false or wrong process served on wrong persons, there is no remedy other than to hold that the process is invalid and that it should be set aside. See </span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language: HE">KIDA vs. OGUNMOLA [2006] All FWLR </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:106%;mso-bidi-language: HE">(Pt. </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:111%;mso-bidi-language:HE">327) 402 at 412</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 111%;mso-bidi-language:HE;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> Accordingly, counsel urged the Court to set aside the service of the originating process together with all other processes including the interim order of injunction and strike out the suit as incompetent. <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-font-width:107%;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:107%;mso-bidi-language: HE">The claimant in opposition filed a counter affidavit of 14 paragraphs deposed to by</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:110%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> Cajethan Nwadike, Director of Administration and Logistics in the Claimant Company. In the accompanying written address, counsel identified one issue for determination, thus:</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 107%;mso-bidi-language:HE"> <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: 119%;mso-bidi-language:HE">Whether the Defendants/Applicants are entitled to the relief sought in this application</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:119%;mso-bidi-language: HE">. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:107%;mso-bidi-language:HE"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:119%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Counsel submitted that when a deponent’s beliefs are derived from information received from another person, the name of such informant shall be stated and reasonable particulars shall be given respecting the information, time, place and circumstances of the information. Failure to provide same makes the application which the affidavit supports liable to be dismissed. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">See Section 89 Evidence Act and <b>TARAKU MILLS LTD & ANOR vs. SANT ENGINEERING LTD & ANOR (2008) All FWLR (Pt. 430) 798 at 805</b>. Also, counsel contended that it is the swearing before a Commissioner for Oaths that makes the document an affidavit. Where the document is not sworn to, it is only a piece of paper, not an affidavit. See <b>MARAYA PLASTICS INDUSTRY LTD. v. INLAND BANK (NIG) PLC (2002) 7 NWLR (Pt. 675) 109 at 120 C-E</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:113%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In the instant case, counsel submitted that the deponent who derived his information from another person failed to state the name of such informant, time, place, and circumstances of the information he received there from. The unsigned affidavit also contained no date of the swearing as enjoined by Section 90(g) and 110 of the Evidence Act. Counsel conceded that though defective, the affidavit can be accepted to be used by virtue of Section 84 of the Act. <b>UBA PLC vs. MODE (NIG) LTD (2001) FWLR </b></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 105%;mso-bidi-language:HE">at </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 113%;mso-bidi-language:HE">1994 RATIO 12</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width:113%;mso-bidi-language: HE">. Counsel submitted that the entire averments contained in the defendants’ affidavit are totally self-contradicting and in conflict with the above cited sections of the Evidence Act and as such this application must crumble. Counsel urged the Court to dismiss this application which according to counsel, was deliberately brought to frustrate the course of justice. <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-font-width:113%;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:113%;mso-bidi-language: HE">Similarly, counsel argued that it is a fundamental principle of law that all parties who will be affected one way or the other in litigation must be made parties. They are entitled to be heard and must be heard before judgment should be given by the court. This is because it is against all known principles of fairing hearing for a party to be condemned in a judgment in which he is not given an opportunity to lead evidence either in support or in defence of his right. See <b>ONABANJO vs. EWETUGA (1993) 4 NWLR (Pt. 288) 445</b>. Again, counsel submitted that the defendants are </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-font-width:112%;mso-bidi-language:HE">necessary parties, who are not only interested in the subject matter of the proceedings but also who in their absence the proceedings could not be fairly dealt with. See <b>GREEN vs. GREEN (1987) NWLR (Pt. 61) 480 RATIO 14</b>. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 113%;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-font-width:112%;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:112%;mso-bidi-language: HE">In view of the above, counsel submitted that this application is grossly incompetent and that the Defendants/Applicants are the necessary parties in this suit. Counsel cited the case of <b>ZAIN (NIG.) LTD vs. ILORIN (2013) AII FWLR (Pt. 681)</b></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> 1550</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-font-width: 112%;mso-bidi-language:HE">, where the court defined a legal person 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: 112%;mso-bidi-language:HE">"A person is any being whom the law regards as capable of rights and duties. There are two kinds of persons distinguishable as natural and legal. A natural person is a human being, while a legal or juristic person is a person in a legal contemplation such as a joint stock company or a municipal corporation. It may also apply to churches, hospitals or ministries if they are incorporated or registered as such". See also <b>JEOBA vs. OWONIFARI (1974) 10 SC 157</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:4.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language:HE">It is counsel’s opinion that in the instant case, it is a misnomer for the Defendants/Applicants to have argued that the Claimant/Respondent can only sue the Defendants/ Applicants in the name of <b>NATIONAL UNION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, FURNITURE AND WOOD WORKERS</b> and not in the name of <b>REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF NATIONAL UNION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION FURNITURE AND WOOD WORKERS</b>. This is owing to the fact that the Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers being a legal person is seised with the competence and capacity to sue and be sued. By law, it is the registered trustees of bodies corporate, in the instant case, the Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, the Claimant in this suit can properly sue and had sued accordingly. See <b>ZAIN (NIG) LTD vs. ILORIN (supra)</b>. Counsel referred to the case of <b>F.R.N. vs. TAWAKLITU (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 695)</b><b> 331</b>, where it was held that courts are enjoined to consider a Preliminary objection on its merits on the available materials placed before it by the parties. In the light of this case, counsel submitted that the Defendants/Applicants in this suit did not place before the Court available materials to entitle them to the reliefs sought in this application. Counsel submitted that this Honorable Court is precluded from entertaining this preliminary objection which is clearly academic hence the court lacks jurisdiction to determine same academic issue. See <b>OLANIYI vs. ALOYEHUN (2002) 5 NWLR (Pt. 194) 652</b>. Counsel urged the court to uphold the service of the originating process together with all other process including the interim order of injunction and strike out the preliminary objection as it is grossly incompetent and in bad faith. <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 reaction, the defendants filed a Reply on point of Law, in which counsel urged the court to take judicial notice of the following: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 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">The 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant is a Trade Union created and duly registered by the Trade Union Act. In other words, it is not a body registered under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act but created by statute to organize workers in the construction and allied Industries throughout the Federation of Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 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">Under the law, recognition of a Union and deduction of Check-Off dues is automatic and compulsory, contrary to the position of the claimant. See Section 17(a) and (b) of the Trade Union Act, <b>NASU vs. GOVERNING COUNCIL KWARA STATE POLYTECHNIC ILORIN & ANOR (2013) 34 NNWLR (Pt. 101) 576 @ 165</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l1 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">In all depositions, the claimant has not shown a single incident where the defendants have acted beyond the powers conferred on it by statute and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) as well as the constitution of 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-language: HE">At this juncture, counsel restated the reliefs sought in the preliminary objection and urged the court to dismiss this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language:HE"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:.5in"><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></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Having heard the submissions of the learned counsels for the parties for and against the Notice of Preliminary Objection, let me now consider the application. The defendants have raised 4 grounds in the Preliminary Objection. They are-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5"><!--[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;">That the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant is not a body known to law. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5"><!--[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;">That the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is not a necessary or proper party to the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5"><!--[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;">That the suit does not disclose any justiciable dispute between the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent: .25in"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">claimant and the defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5"><!--[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;">That the process is incompetent and it was wrongly served on the defendants. <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;">I will examine each of these grounds in determination of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</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;">The 1<sup>st</sup> defendant in this case is the “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers”. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The first ground of the defendants </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> is that the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant is not a body known to law. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The defendants’ contention, as stated in the affidavit in support of the Notice of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, is that the body which is known to law and which is a Trade Union under the Trade Unions Acts is the <i>National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers</i>. It is </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">the only Trade Union created by law with power to organize and unionize the workers of the claimant, which is part of the construction and allied Industries in Nigeria. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There is no such body as <i>Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers</i> which organizes<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">or unionizes the claimant's workers. The words “Registered Trustees”, suggests that the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant was a body registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) which makes it different from the Union established under the Trade Union Act (TUA). In the counter affidavit of the claimant, deposed to by its </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Director of Administration and Logistics, it was averred that the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant purports to be a Trade Union Organization whose secretary for the</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> Imo<i>/</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Abia council is the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant. On the 12/08/2013, the 2<sup>nd </sup>defendant issued a letter with Reference No: NUC/IASC/SEC/ RN/19/13, annexed as Exhibit A, to the employees of the Claimant. In the letter, the Defendants claimed that they had set aside the 23<sup>rd</sup> August, 2013 as a date for the meeting for the election of Union Officers into various positions for the employees of the Claimant's company. The defendants also called on employees of the Claimant to </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">approach</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> their office located at NO. 4 Amadi Street, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Owerri </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">for application forms. The Defendants also issued another letter, dated 20<sup>th</sup> May, 2014 with Ref No: NUC/GSO/NTO/CODUC/011/14, annexed by the claimant as Exhibit B, threatening to conduct another election in the Claimant's company without the consent of the claimant and its workers.</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;">I have examined the 2 letters marked as Exhibits A and B in the claimant’s counter affidavit which the claimant alleged were written by the defendants. The name of the union on the letter head is the </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I have also read the averments of the claimant in its statement of facts and it is clear to me that the cause of action in this case was the said letters of the defendants wherein the defendants sought to unionize staff of the claimant and conduct union election for the staff of the claimant. The dispute in this case is one between the claimant as an employer and the said trade union. But in bringing this action, the claimant expressed the name of the Trade Union as <i>Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers</i>. Although the claimant has not been able to show in this application that there is any such body registered as “<i>Registered Trustees of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers”, </i>it is clear to me however from the facts and the annexed documents that the union which the claimant intended to sue is the <i>National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers. </i>This union is established under the Trade Unions Act and by the annexed letters, it is the union which wrote the letters to the claimant’s employees. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">That is to say there is a Trade Union in existence, which is also a juristic person, called </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Clearly, the union the claimant </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">intended to sue is the </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">but t</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">he claimant’s mistake in the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant was to add </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">“Registered Trustees” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">to the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. Clearly, this was a mistake in the name of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant.</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;">The addition to the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant does not render the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant non juristic nor does it mean that the union is different from the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant because as far as the claimant’s case is concerned, it is the same Union it wants to sue. A misnomer arises where a party is sued in the wrong name. In other words, misnomer occurs when a mistake is made as to the name of a person who sued or was sued or when an action is brought by or against the wrong name of a person. Better still, misnomer occurs when the correct person is brought to court under a wrong name. In the circumstance of this case, I am of the view that the mistake in the name of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is a mere misnomer. Although the law, as expressed in a number of cases including <b>THE ADMINISTRATORS/EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF GENERAL SANI ABACHA (DECEASED) vs. EKE-SPIFF (2009) All FWLR (Pt. 467) 1 at 31; ABUBAKAR vs. YAR’ADUA (2009) All FWLR (Pt. 457) 1 at 136 </b>is that only natural or juristic persons can sue or be sued and the name of a competent party to a suit must be the real name by which he is known in the case of a natural person and its corporate name in the case of a non natural juristic person, however, the fact that the name of the person sued is not the name of a legal person does not preclude the court from amending the title of the action to show the correct name of the party sued if it is clear to the court that it was a case of misnomer. Where the description of a party on the writ was a misnomer, such can be corrected by amendment provided that the person misnamed and intended to be sued is a juristic entity and is in existence. See <b>MAERSK LINE vs. ADDIDE INVESTMENT LTD (2002) FWLR (Pt. 125) 608 at 655-656;</b> <b>NWABUEZE vs. NIPOST (2006) 8 NWLR (Pt. 983) 480.</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;">Now that it is clear that the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant on record was a case of misnomer, this court has jurisdiction to amend the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant to show or reflect its correct name. See <b>FCE (TECHNICAL) GUSAU vs. ABUBAKAR (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 709) 1130 at 1145; NKOCHA vs. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (1996) 1 NWLR (Pt. 422) 112. </b>Notwithstanding that the claimant has not made such application, this court has the inherent power to make the order amending the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant in the interest of justice. Accordingly, the name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant is hereby amended to read </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. The consequence of this amendment is that the 1<sup>st</sup> ground of the defendant’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> is no longer of any moment.<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 2<sup>nd</sup> ground of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> is that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is not a necessary or proper party to the suit. I find the reason for this ground of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the affidavit in support. It was averred by the defendants that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant, wrongly joined in this suit, is an employee of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers. A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s the State Secretary of the Union, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is not a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> member of the national executive neither does he have power to organize or unionize the claimant's employees. But the claimant has explained in its counter affidavit that the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant is </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">the secretary of the 1<sup>st</sup> Defendant’s the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Imo<i>/</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Abia Council </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and he was the one who wrote one of the letters exhibited to the counter affidavit. The stated position of the 2<sup>nd</sup> defendant in the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant union and the fact that he was the one who authored the letter which led to the dispute in this action makes him a proper party and necessary party to the action. The 2<sup>nd</sup> ground of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> has no merit.<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 for the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> grounds of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, the defendants have failed to establish the grounds. There is no fact in the affidavit in support of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> on which to consider the grounds. In any case, the facts in the claimant’s statement of fact disclose a dispute between the parties and the dispute is justiciable. I do not also see in defect in the processes or on the service on the defendants. Grounds 3 and 4 of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> also do not have any merit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the final result, I find the defendants </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Preliminary Objection</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> to be without merit. It is accordingly dismissed. Conversely, leave is granted to the claimant to amend the Complaint and other processes to reflect the correct name of the 1<sup>st</sup> defendant. The claimant is ordered to file and serve the amended processes on the defendants or their counsel before the return date of this matter. 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></p>