IBRAHIM MOHAMMED MUSA SAULAWA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The present appeal is against the ruling of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, delivered on August 11, 1995 in suit No. ID/2786/93. By the ruling in question, the lower court, coram A. A. Phillips, J. (as the learned trial judge then was), upheld the 1st Respondent's preliminary objection, and accordingly dismissed the Appellants' suit for want of jurisdiction.
BACKGROUND FACTS
The facts and circumstances surrounding the appeal are discernible from the records of appeal. The Appellants are the acclaimed principal members and accredited representatives of the Esimikan family of Ilado-Odo and Inagbe-Odo villages, in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State. The 1st Respondent is a Federal Government Corporation responsible, inter alia, for the prospecting, drilling, marketing, et al of petroleum products in Nigeria. The 2nd Respondent is the Chief legal Officer of Lagos State.
The genesis …