ADAMU JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting at Lagos (per A. A. Gumel J as hethen was). The appellants(as plaintiffs) and in a representative capacity sued the respondents at the said court where they claimed (as per their amended statement of claim at page 63 of the record of appeal) as follows:
“15 Whereof the plaintiffs claim from the defendants jointly and severally the following:
A declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to their salaries and allowances having worked for the defendants from January 1997 to October 1999.
Particulars of special damages Payment of N10,234,809.52k (ten million, two hundred and thirty-four thousand, eight hundred and nine naira, fifty-two kobo) being salaries and allowances of 42 (forty-two) out of the 48 (forty- eight) plaintiffs herein as shown, in the above particulars.
Transportation to and from the defendant’s office since October 1999 till date ... Nl00,000.00 Solicitor’s …