NNAEMEKA-AGU, JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): By a writ of summons filed on 14th of November, 1983, the plaintiff claimed from the defendant as follows:
“(a) Recovery of possession of the premises known and situate at 1, Ilabere Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos State which he was put into possession by the plaintiff as service tenant at the time of his employment with the plaintiff; and
(b) An injunction to restrain the defendant from continuing to occupy the said premises. The plaintiff claims possession and mesne profit at the rate of ₦13,500.00 per annum from the 31st of December, 1980 until possession is given up.”
According to the pleading in the further amended statement of claim dated 19th February, 1986, the defendant, a chartered accountant was at all material times a director and employee of the plaintiff, a limited liability company involved in trade, production, distribution and sale of petroleum and natural gas products within and outside Nigeria. The plaintiff allowed the defe…