A. FATAYI-WILLIAMS, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The applicant, now appellant, was at all material times, a civil servant and permanent secretary, in the Ministry of Works, Lands and Transport of the Rivers State Government. He first joined the public service in Nigeria in the then Eastern Region in 1955 and was later absorbed into the public service of the Rivers State six months after the end of the civil war on 12th January, 1970. Sometime in August, 1971, following certain allegations of abuse of office made against him, the Rivers State Public Service Commission, wrote a letter dated 26th August, 1971, to the applicant informing him that he had been interdicted from duty with effect from the date of the said letter. Paragraph 3 of the letter which deals with the allegation made against the applicant reads -
"3. The allegations of abuse of office for which your specific answers are sought within 7 days of the receipt by you of this letter are that through the instrume…