MOJEED ADEKUNLE OWOADE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting at Uyo Division in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/61/2005 consolidated with Suit Nos. FHC/UY/CS/59, 60, 62, 63, and 66/2005 presided over by Late Hon. Justice E. S. Chukwu and delivered on the 4th day of April, 2014.
The six (6) consolidated suits were filed in a representative capacity for four (4) Fishing Communities namely: Nkpata and Esukuma Fishing Communities in Oron Local Government Area, Utananta and Utanayaitai in Mbo Local Government Area, Ashak-Abufak, Itakabong, Otuesek and Unietan Fishing Groups all in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.
The Further Amended Statement of Claim upon which the suit was fought was filed on 26/05/2016 whereof the total claim of the communities are as follows:
Special Damages N329,400,000.00
General Damages N230,600.000.00
The total claims for both general and special damages is N560,000.00 which represe…