JOSEPH TINE TUR, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The traditional way of heading any determination by the Justices of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, dependent on the nature of the proceedings, is either a judgment, ruling or order, etc.
I shall however title the determination of this appeal as a decision. I could have headed same as an opinion. The two words can be used interchangeably to comply with the provisions of Sections 294(1)-(6) and 318(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered. The provisions are couched as follows:
294(1) Every Court established under this Constitution shall deliver its decision in writing not later than ninety days after the conclusion of evidence and final addresses and furnish all parties to the cause or matter determined with duly authenticated copies of the decision within seven days of the delivery thereof.
(2) Each Justice of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeal shall express and deliver his opi…