J. A. FABIYI, J.S.C (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division ("the court below" for short) delivered on 10th May, 2007.
By an Originating Summons issued at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State but later transferred and heard at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, ("the trial court", for short) the appellant sought to enforce the Joint Resolution of the National Assembly awarding to the Appellants the sum US$1.5 billion damages as compensation for environmental degradation of the appellants, communities by the respondent's oil production activities since 1956.
On February 24, 2006, the trial court gave judgment and ordered the respondent to comply with the resolution of the National Assembly and awarded the stated sum of US$1.5 billion to the appellants as compensation for injuries suffered. The respondent felt dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court and appealed to the court below.
Equally, it…