OGUNTADE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant was the defendant before the Maiduguri High Court where the respondent as the plaintiff claimed against him for the sum of N220,000.00 being damages for the conversion of a Honda Accord Saloon Car registration No. BO 3 MC. The parties are hereinafter referred to by the description they bore the lower court (i.e. as plaintiff and defendant).
The lower court on 22 July, 1993 gave judgment against the defendant forthe sum of N220,000.00 being the value of the car in dispute. The defendant was dissatisfied with the judgment. He has therefore brought this appeal against it on two grounds of appeal which read thus:
"(1) The learned trial Judge erred in law when it failed to afford a reasonable time to the defendant to testify and call his witnesses to defend himself as provided for by Section 33(1) of 1979 Constitution as amended.
Particulars of Error
(a)The defendant was not given reasonable time when the court entered a default…