S. M. A. BELGORE, J.S.C (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant, Lieutenant Commander Felix S. Ebohon, N.N. (retired) a Deputy Chief Engineer in the defunct Bendel State Civil Service was, by a letter dated 25th April, 1984 informed as follows:
"Pruning of the Civil Service of Bendel State
1. I am directed to refer to the Bendel State of Nigeria Civil Service Commission's letter No. S.275/Vol./111/10 dated 19th April, 1984 on the above-named subject and to convey, with regret, the decision of the Commission to dismiss you and you are hereby dismissed, from the Civil Service, with immediate effect ............
2. You are advised, in your own interest, to hand over immediately to your Head of Division/ Local Head Department all Government property in your possession.
Sgd. for Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Works and Transport,
Benin City."
Thus the appellant was notified of his dismissal from the service of the State. The letter on its face, purported to intimate the appe…