SANKEY JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This appeal is predicated on the Judgment of Honourable Justice J. F. Gbadeyan of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin delivered on 30 June 2005.
The respondents, as plaintiffs, filed a suit under the “Undefended List” procedure against the defendants, now appellants, on 28 April 2005. Therein they claimed the total sum of N25,767,174.81k (twenty-five million, seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, one hundred and seventy-four naira, eighty-one kobo) plus 10% (ten percent) of the total sum until the judgment sum is finally liquidated. The principal sum claimed was said to represent the salaries of the respondents from June 1999 to November 2000, May 2001 to December 2001 and January 2002 to May 2002. Approved furniture allowances and severance gratuities were also included in this claim.
The writ of summons containing the plaintiffs’ claim was supported by an affidavit and exhibits. Upon being served the summons, the appellants filed a notice …