GALADIMA JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division delivered by Hon. Justice R.O. Nwodo J. (as he then was).
The appellant as plaintiff had in a writ of summons filed on 21 March 2003 in paragraph 10 of the statement of claim, claiming against the respondent as defendant, the following reliefs:
“a. Declaration that the plaintiff as a pensionable staff of the defendant is entitled to terminal benefit/pension on the termination of the plaintiff’s employment. b. The sum of N4,752,960.00 (four million, seven hundred and fifty two thousand, nine hundred and sixty naira) being and representing the plaintiff’s terminal benefit/pension calculated as follows: N6,777.00 (six thousand, seven hundred and seventy- seven naira) per month multiplied by 12 = N81,324.00 (eighty one thousand, three hundred and twenty four naira) multiplied by 20 years= N1,626,480.00(one million six hundred and twenty-six thousand four hu…