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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">O. Okeya, and O.O. Ajayi for the Claimants<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">W.T. Atirere and Awoyemi Gbenga for the Defendants<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt"> RULING/JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The claimants by a General form of complaint filed before this court on the 28<sup>th</sup> day of October 2015 claims against the Defendants/Applicants as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">AN ORDER restraining the Defendants, their agents, privies, servants and assigns from conducting any election and/or appointing anybody whatsoever to occupy the executive positions of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the State of Osun.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">AN ORDER restraining the 7<sup>th</sup> Defendant and his officers from aiding and abetting the 1<sup>st</sup> to 6<sup>th</sup> Defendants, their agents, privies, servants and assigns from assessing or collecting any fund or dues that is meant for All Farmers in the State of Osun.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt"> A DECLARATION that any election or purported election conducted or about to be conducted by the defendants into the executives of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Osun State as illegal, null and void.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">A DECLARATION that the election of All Farmers of Nigeria in the State of Osun conducted in May 2013 wherein officers were duly and legally elected by the representative in the National executives of All Farmers Association of Nigeria as valid and constitutional in line with the constitution of All Farmers Association of Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The defendants entered appearance by filing of memorandum of conditional appearance on the 26<sup>th</sup> day of November, 2015, and in response filed their defence to the Originating Process on the same day. The claimants filed their reply to the defendants statement of defence on the 8<sup>th</sup> day of July 2016 along with other frontloaded documents. On 26<sup>th</sup> day of November, 2015 the defendants by motion application filed a Preliminary Objection praying for the Order of the court for the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">That the subject matter of this suit which is the 2013 State Elections of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Osun State has been heard and determined by the Osun State High Court of Justice, Osogbo in Re- Suit No. HOS/56/2013(Chief R.A. Adeniyi and 12 ors. V. High Chief Dr. Olufemi Olaifa and ors.) in a matter in which the parties herein stated and the counsel in this suit were all parties and which matter is currently on appeal at the court of Appeal Akure in APPEAL NO. CA/AK/90/2014( High Chief Dr. Olufemi Olaifa v. Chief R.A. Adeniyi and ors.).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">PARTICULARS<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">This matter as herein instituted is caught by the principle of Res Judicata as the same parties had litigated the same matter in the High Court of Justice, Osogbo, Osun State in Re- suit no.HOS/56/2013 (Chief R.A, Adeniji and 12 others v. High Chief Dr. Olufemi Olaifa and ors.) wherein a judgment against the claimants in suit was obtained and the claimants in this suit appealed to the Court of Appeal in Akure in Re-Appeal No. CA/AK/90/2014 (High Chief Dr. Olufemi Olaifa v. Chief R.A. Adeniyi and ors.) which appeal is still pending.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The claim at the High Court of Justice Osogbo finally settled the matter of elections held in May 2013 by setting aside the elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The defendants(then Claimants), vide Originating Summons endorsed the following questions for determination:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(i)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Whether or not the provision of Article 7(9) of the Constitution of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) which said Constitution came into force in November, 2011; non financial members of AFAN are eligible to vote and/or be voted for in election to any office of the association, be it Federal or State.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(ii)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Whether or not the provision of Article 13(1) of the constitution of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) 2011 which enacted a single term of five years for elected officers of AFAN is applicable retroactively to officers elected before 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">AND furthermore entered the following claims:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(i)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">An order directing 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants, who are the Chairman and Secretary of the AFAN Electoral Committee respectively set up by the National Secretariat of AFAN for the conduct of elections into AFAN offices in Osun State, to comply with the provision of Article 7(9) of the constitution of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) 2011, by disallowing non-financial members of AFAN from presenting themselves for the said election.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(ii)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">A declaration that the provision of Article 13(1) of the Constitution of All Farmers Association of Nigeria(AFAN) 2011 does not derogate from the rights of the Plaintiffs who were holding offices before the adoption of the said Constitution from offering themselves for election into any office/offices of AFAN.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(iii)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">A declaration that the plaintiff are qualified and entitled to contest the elections into state offices of AFAN on ground that the AFAN constitution of 2011 which gave a single tenure of 5 years became operative from November, 2011 and has no effect whatever retroactively on the old regime created by the earlier constitution now extant OR, in the alternative, a declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to complete the five years tenure granted by the 2011 AFAN constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(iv)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">A declaration that a constitution cannot be deemed to operate retroactively.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(v)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">An order directing the defendants not to conduct any election into the elective offices of AFAN, Osun State Chapter under the guidelines for elections issued by the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Defendants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The High Court of Justice, Osogbo delivered a judgment for the claimants now defendants in this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The defendants in this suit in Osogbo (now Claimants) had lodged an appeal and their main relief sought at the Court of Appeal Akure as contained in their Notice of Appeal are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">(i)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">To set aside the judgment of the lower court and order the case to be transferred to a court of competent jurisdiction which is the National Industrial Court for trial.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The substantive claim of claimant before this Honorable court in this instant case are as stated supra in this ruling.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">It is a clear and undistinguished claim before which the High Court entered judgment which is also now on appeal before the court of Appeal Akure in which the claimants in this case being the Appellant in the Court of Appeal is asking the court of Appeal to transfer same to the National Industrial Court which is still pending.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The claimant herein cannot confer on this Honorable court a appellate role over the High Court of Osun state and cannot set aside the judgment of a High Court but should wait until the Court of Appeal sets aside the judgment and orders a remittal to this Honourable Court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The whole of this action is very presumptuous and amount to a total abuse of the judicial process and cannot cause confusion in the legal system.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">In support of the preliminary Objection is a 29 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by one Onigbogi Israel Olarenwaju, and a written address.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The claimants in reaction to the preliminary objection filed by the defendants/applicants filed a 19 paragraphs counter affidavit to notice of preliminary objection on the 8<sup>th</sup> day of July, 2016, deposed to by Hon. Oyewale Ibrahim supported with a written address. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The court on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of February, 2017 suo moto asked parties to address it on the competency or otherwise of this suit before it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">The Claimants filed their written address on the 6<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2017 where they raised a sole issue for the determination of this court on:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Whether this Honourable Court is empowered by section 254 C(1)(a-k) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria Republic of Nigeria( Third Alteration Act, 2010) to entertain or adjudicate on the issue in suit No. NICN/AK/50/2015.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">In addressing the sole issues the claimants argued the provision of <b>Section 254 C (1)(a-k) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria third (as amended)</b> is unambiguously clear and direct as it confers jurisdiction on all matters notwithstanding anything to the contrary. They referred court to <b>Section 254C 1(j)(i-vii)</b>. They further argued that the dispute in this case is a dispute that arose from the election of officers of the Association in Osun State which the High Court of the State of Osun has no Jurisdiction over by <b>Section 254C of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(third alteration) as amended.</b> They relied on the case of <b>MICROSOFT CORP V. FRANIKE ASSO. LTD [2012] 3 NWLR(PT. 1287)P 301.</b> They submitted that the third alteration had given to the National Industrial Court exclusive jurisdiction on matters that falls under <b>Section 254C of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).</b> They argued that for a court or tribunal to have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter before it, it must satisfy some conditions, such as; constitution and qualification of the court; condition precedent to assume jurisdiction must be fulfilled; the subject matter must be within the jurisdiction of the court; and finally the suit must be brought before the court by due process of law. And relied on the case of <b>CHIEF IKEDI OHAKIM V. CHIEF MARTIN AGBASO AND ORS [2011] ALL FWLR (PT.553) 1806 PP. 1831-1832 PARAS G-D.</b> They submitted that the claimant instituted this action by due process of law knowing fully well that the Court has Jurisdiction to entertain the matter that is connected with the election of officers of All farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Osun State. They therefore Concluded by urging the court to assume jurisdiction having being so empowered by <b>Section 254C (1)(a-k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(Third Alteration Act 2010).</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">In response to the Claimants written address the defendants filed their written address on the competence of this court to entertain this suit on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2017 where they raised two issues for the determination of this court, which are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">1. Whether or not this honourable court has jurisdiction to entertain this suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">2. Whether or not this suit is an abuse of Court process.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">In arguing issue one, they argued that this case is caught by the principal of Res Judicata as the same parties had litigated the same matter in High Court of Justice, Osogbo, Osun State in suit no. <b>HOS/56/2013( CHIEF R.A. ADENIJI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b>) where a judgment against the Claimants in this suit was obtained and the Claimants in this suit appealed to in the Court of Appeal in Akure in suit no<b>. CA/AK/90/2014( HIGH CHIEF DR. OLAIFA V. CHIEF R.A. ADENIYI AND ORS.) </b>which appeal is still pending.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">They claimed that the matter on the Election held in May, 2013 was settled by the High Court of Justice, Osogbo, Osun State by setting it aside. That the high Court of Justice, Osogbo delivered her Judgment in favour of the Claimants now the Defendants in this suit. And that the Claimants in this suit( the then Defendants) had lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal. They argued that the claims before this court is the same as the claim in which judgment had been entered before the High Court of Justice, Osogbo which is now been entered before the court of Appeal, asking the court of Appeal to transfer same to the National Industrial Court which is still pending before the Court of Appeal. They contended that the Claimants herein cannot confer on this court an appellate role over the High Court of Osun State and cannot set aside the judgment of a High Court but should wait until the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment and orders a remittal to this court. They submitted that the whole of this action is presumptuous and amounts to a total abuse of judicial process and cause confusion in the legal system. In support of their arguments they referred the court to the case of <b>CHIEF BUSARI IDOWU DAUDA AND ANOR. V. A. G. LAGOS STATE AND 5 ORS; EZEANYA V. OKEKE( 1995) 4 NWLR(PT.388)142; FALAYE V. OTAPO(1995)2 NWLR (PT.376)131.</b> They further submitted that reading of the Claimants claims show that there is no one matter for the court to decide and that is whether the Election of May, 2013 was void or not as per the judgment of the High Court of Justice Osogbo in suit no. <b>HOS/56/2013( CHIEF R.A. ADENIYI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b> they cited <b>MILAD, EKITI STATE V. ALADEYELU(2007) 30 NSCQR 928.</b> They concluded arguing issue one by submitting that if the court looks at the processes before it, the only issue is the 2013 election and the matter has been adjudicated upon by the High Court of Justice Osogbo where judgment was given and now which judgment has been appealed against at the Court of Appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">On issue two, they argued that this suit is an abuse of Court process. By contending that this matter was matter that has been adjudicated upon by the High Court of Justice Osogbo Osun State where judgment was given and which is presently before the Court of Appeal. They referred the Court to Exhibits A to C attached to their affidavit in support of their preliminary objection. They submitted that the claims before this court is exactly the same with the claims before the Court of Appeal. Where it was prayed that the court of Appeal should remit back the case to the National Industrial Court for the case to start denovo which the court of Appeal has not yet delivered its judgment and now they are in the National Industrial Court. They also contended that joining the 7th defendant in this suit is just for a dubious purpose, because he is not a member of AFAN, that he was just added to intimidate the Osun State Government. They argued that the power of the court is cases of abuse of Court process is clearly spelt out in the case of <b>NNAH GEORGE ONYEABUCHI V. INEC AND 4 ORS.(2002) ALL FWLR PAGE 453; also, GARUBA V. AYUELERU(1993) 24 NSCQ PT. 225 AT PAGE 6.</b> They finally submitted that this suit be dismissed with heavy cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I have carefully considered the processes filed by parties, the defendants’ motion on Notice of Preliminary Objection, submissions and authorities cited by counsel to both parties in their respective written addresses as directed by this court on the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">13<sup>th</sup> day of February, 2017, urging parties to address it on the competency of this suit before it. It should be noted that the Claimant did not file any reply on point of law in replying the defendants written Address as directed by the court. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Before delving into the issue suo moto raised by this court, I will first evaluate the issues raised by the defendants in this suit. The defendants contended that this case is caught by the principal of Res Judicata as the same parties had litigated the same matter in High Court of Justice, Osogbo, Osun State in suit no. <b>HOS/56/2013(CHIEF R.A. ADENIJI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b>) where a judgment against the Claimants in this suit was obtained and the Claimants in this suit had filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal in Akure in suit no<b>. CA/AK/90/2014( HIGH CHIEF DR. OLAIFA V. CHIEF R.A. ADENIYI AND ORS.) </b>which appeal is still pending and also that this suit having played fowl of rex judicata constitute an abuse of court processes and then referred the Court to Exhibits A to C attached to their affidavit in support of their preliminary objection. In evaluating this effectively, It is good to know how the doctrine of rex judicata applies to this case. and whether such can amount to an abuse of court process? It is trite that for the principle of estoppel to apply in any giving proceedings, the following conditions must be met: (a) the same question must be for consideration in both proceedings. Which means the question for decision in the current suit must have been decided in other proceeding (b) the decision relied upon to support the issue of estoppels must be final (c) the parties must be the same or by their privies. Now, the question that requires an answer here is whether or not this instance suit is caught up by the doctrine of estoppels/res judicata? In answering this, it is important to find out whether issues in suit no. <b>HOS/56/2013( CHIEF R.A. ADENIJI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b>) are the same with the issues at hand, are the parties the same, do they involve the same subject matter, is the decision of Osun High court a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. <b>See CHIEF SALAMI ADESINA AND ANOR. V. COMM IFON-ILOBU BOUNDARY COMMISSION AND ANOR. [1996] LPELR-148SC; DR. ABDUL FATTAH OLABODE JIMOH V. OBA SAMSON ALESINLOYE AND 11 ORS.[2014] 15 NWLR (PT. 1430) P277CA. </b>The answer to this poser is in the affirmative having read through the decision of the Osun State High court, Osogbo<b> in suit no. HOS/56/2013( CHIEF R.A. ADENIJI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b>) delivered by my learned brother Hon. Justice A.A. Aderibigbe on the 30<sup>th</sup> day of January, 2014 where the court made a consequential order nullifying the election conducted by defunct Executives of the 1<sup>st</sup> Claimant held on 30/04/ 2013<b>.</b> I find from the reliefs sought by the claimants in this case, that all their reliefs are in relation to the election conducted by the defendants' in this case who were claimants in the Suit at the High court of Osun. They are seeking for this court's declaration to the effect that the election conducted by the claimants in 2013 which has already been nullified by the High Court of Osun as being valid. It is thus apparent from the facts of this case vis a vis Suit No.<b> HOS/56/2013( CHIEF R.A. ADENIJI AND 12 ORS. V. HIGH CHIEF DR. OLUFEMI OLAIFA AND ORS.</b>) are one and the same, with same parties, judgment was delivered which is now the subject of an appeal at the Court of Appeal Akure Division. Same is pending before the appellate court. It is in this vein that I find that this suit is caught up by the doctrine of res judicata, there must be an end to litigation. I so find and hold. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">It is also trite that for a court to have jurisdiction over a cause of action, the action must be competent. This means that the action must come before the court by due process of law. <b>See. M.O.MOUDKAS (NIG.) ENT. LTD. AND ANOR. V. EMIKO ISRAEL OBIOMA AND 2 ORS.[2016] LPELR-40165(CA). </b>The<b> </b>conduct of the Claimant in this suit by filing an appeal to the court of Appeal in suit no<b>. CA/AK/90/2014( HIGH CHIEF DR. OLAIFA V. CHIEF R.A. ADENIYI AND ORS.) </b>and<b> </b>also coming before this court for redress over the matter that is already subject of appeal at the Court of Appeal is not in the good spirit of due process and therefore constitute an abuse of court process. As this court cannot sit on appeal over the decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction. I so find and hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">As regards the issue suo moto raised by this court on whether or not this court is competent to determine this suit? In determining this, the first question to answer is whether the parties are competent before this court, differently put, whether the 1<sup>st</sup> Claimant is a trade union and whether the 2nd and 3rd claimants can sue in that capacity; same question goes for the defendants. Is the first claimant a trade union and is there a trade dispute be it intra or inter?. I Have perused all the processes before me, especially all exhibits attached as it is the practice to do when face with issues of this nature. It is clear that what the claimants in this suit before this court relied on as their authority to sue is a copy of certificate of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission of the 1<sup>st</sup> Claimant. It is important to know that a Trade Union by <b>Section 2(1) of the Trade Unions Act</b> provides that <b><i>“A trade union shall not perform any act in furtherance of the purposes for which it has been formed unless it has been registered under this Actâ€</i></b>. It means in the absence of any document on record to evince that the 1<sup>st</sup> Claimant has been registered under the Trade Unions Act, the claimant cannot activate the jurisdiction of this court. Consequently, I find and hold that the 1<sup>st</sup> claimant is not a Trade Union and the 2<sup>nd</sup> ,3<sup>rd</sup> claimants and the defendants are not members of a Trade Union.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Assuming but not conceding that the 1<sup>st</sup> claimant is a Trade Union, the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> claimants, as well as the defendants are members of the first claimant the question is whether or not the parties have explore their internal mechanism for resolving this dispute before approaching the court? In answering this important question, recourse must be made to the <b>Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act, 1999.</b>Where its <b>Section 254C (1)(a)</b> which vests in the National Industrial Court exclusive jurisdiction on matters involving Trade Union, and I quote <b><i>‘’ <u>Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 251, 257, 272 and anything contained in this Constitution</u> and in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, <u>the National Industrial Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court in civil causes and matters</u>- (a) relating to or connected with any labour, employment<u>, trade unions</u>, industrial relations and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service, including health, safety, welfare of labour, employee, worker and <u>matters incidental thereto or connected therewith</u>; (b)……..’’ </i></b>underling mine for emphasis. See<b> also OGUNYALE AND ORS. V. GLOBACOM [2009] 14 N.L.L.R(PT. 39) 306-459 at (p. 427, para. G-H).</b> By the above cited constitutional provision and case cited one can see the jurisdictional scope of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, but however, before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria can have Jurisdiction on dispute that falls squarely within the definition of inter and intra dispute under <b>Section 54 of the National Industrial Court Act 2006</b>, the claimant is enjoined by virtue of <b>Section 7(3) of the National Industrial Court Act</b> to explore the processes of Mediation, Conciliation, and Arbitration under part 1 of the Trade Dispute Act. See<b>. COM. ANTHONY AND ORS. V. COM ILODUBA AND ORS.[2010] 18 NLLR(PT.50) P. 161-287 AT P. 240-241 PARA H-A</b>. It should be noted that, it is trite by virtue of <b>Section 7(3) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006</b> the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court on inter and intra-union disputes is appellate and not original. In other words the provision of the Trade Dispute Act as regards mediation/conciliation is to be exhausted before the intervention of the National Industrial Court can be sought. See. <b>COM. ANTHONY AND ORS. V. COM ILODUBA AND ORS supra. (p. 240, para. D-F); See also, OGUNYALE AND ORS. V. GLOBACOM Supra (P. 426-427, PARA.,H-B). </b>In the instance case, having read through the processes filed before me, the evidence of parties and their pleadings as well as their arguments on issue suo moto raised by this court, I did not find documents evidencing that parties explored the processes of Mediation, Conciliation, and Arbitration by complying with part 1 of the Trade Dispute Act which is a condition precedent before bringing an inter or intra dispute matter before this court. Or have complied with the internal mode of dispute resolution before approaching this court. It is trite that the jurisdiction of this court over, inter or intra dispute matter is that of appellate jurisdiction and not original jurisdiction. Flowing from the above arguments and cases cited. I find and hold that the failure of the claimants herein to explore the internal mechanism of dispute resolution as provided for by Article 18.3.1 of their Constitution and non compliance with the provision of Section 7(3) of NICA 2006, is fatal to the competence of this suit, Accordingly, this suit is incompetent before this court.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">It is apparent from all stated above in this ruling that this suit is incompetent as constituted. It is hereby dismissed in its entirety. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">I award the sum of N100,000.00 as cost against the claimants.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Ruling/Judgment is accordingly entered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola Oyejoju.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Presiding Judge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>