U.A. KALGO, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): By a writ of summons issued at the Imo State High Court, in the Owerri Judicial Division, on the 17th of March 1987, the appellant as plaintiff claimed against the respondents jointly and severally, as defendants, the sum of ₦150,000,00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as general and special damages in that between the 19th and 20th of December 1986, the appellant suffered the loss of his Peugeot 505 SR A/C Saloon Car registration No. IM 6582 AF parked in the premises of the 1st respondent along Port Harcourt/Owerri/Road, due to the negligence and/or breach of duty of care on the part of the respondents. And by paragraph 15 of the statement of claim, particulars of claim were set out thus:-
Special damages
a. Value of plaintiff's Peugeot 505 SR/AC Saloon Car less than 12 months old at that time of loss...........₦65,000.00
b. Cost of hiring car at ₦20.00 for 42 days ₦840.00
c. General damages......₦84,160.00
₦150,000.00
Pleadings …