AKAAHS, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): What gave rise to this suit now on appeal is the circular No. 7 of 2000 which the Head of Civil Service Akwa lbom State, (now 3 rd respondent) issued directing all Government establishments to deduct check off dues from the senior cadre of Civil Servants and pay same to the Labour Union called Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria which the appellants protested but their protest was ignored. Despite legal advice from the Ministry of Justice that the directive in the circular was not lawful, the respondents ignored it and went ahead to effect the deductions notwithstanding a signed letter by representatives of the appellants that no such deductions should be made since they belonged to other Labour Unions of their choice. This prompted the appellants to commence action by originating summons in the Akwa lbom State High Court, Uyo seeking a determination of the following questions:
1. Whether “establishments circular No. 7 of 20…