SALAMI, JCA (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): By leave of the court below, the applicants brought an action pursuance of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 1979 for the enforcement of their fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979 and seeking consequential reliefs in the nature of declarations, injunction and damages. The application dated the 18th day of November, 1997 was filed on the same day. The applicants in addition filed a statement stating their names, the reliefs sought and the grounds upon which they are sought. The grounds show that the applicants proposed to rely on Sections 31, 32, 33 and 40 of the Constitution.
The respondents joined issues with the applicants in their respective counter-affidavits. One Zakari Dawodu deposed to an 11 paragraph counter- affidavit on behalf of the first to fifth respondents. Sixth respondent personally deposed to a 33 paragraph counter-affidavit. Thereafter learn…