TIJJANI ABDULLAHI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Rivers State, Coram E. Thompson (J) delivered on the 6th of December, 2006, whereby judgment was entered under the undefended list procedure in favour of the Respondent for the sum of N23,000.000.00 (Twenty Three Million Naira) in terms of his writ of summons.
The Respondent was the Plaintiff whilst the Appellant was the Defendant in the Court below. The former commenced the suit appealed against under the undefended list procedure vide a writ of summons filed on the 23rd June, 2006 and issued on 2nd day of August, 2006.
The writ of summons as can be gleaned from the proceeding of the Court below is for:
The sum of N23,000,000.00 (Twenty Three Million Naira) being professional fees for services rendered to the Defendant by the claimant in successfully prosecuting a claim in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division against the Government of the Rivers State and t…