SANUSI JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal againstthe judgment of the High Court of Edo State (hereinafter referred to as “the lower court”) delivered on 2 February 2009. At the lower court, the present respondent as plaintiff thereat, instituted an action against the defendant now appellant, seeking payment of the under mentioned claims as per his amended statement of claim. The claims are as below: The sum of N19,944,090,00k (nineteen million, nine hundred and forty-four thousand and ninety naira only) being professional outstanding fees 21% interest per annum from year 2000 up to the day of judgment and thereafter at 10% interest until final judgment ismade less N306,375.00 paid while the case was in court”
The facts which gave rise to the institution of the suit at the lower court by the plaintiff against the defendant leadingto the filing of this appeal are simply that, the respondent, a Benin based legal practitioner, served as a retainer to the appellant comp…