C. A. OPUTA, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Three separate Suits- Suit No. LD/1659/80, Suit No. LD/1660/80 and Suit No. LD/1661/80 respectively - were filed in the court of first instance by Appellants who were Plaintiffs, against the University of Lagos and the University of Lagos Council, the present Respondents as Defendants. Pleadings were ordered, filed, and duly delivered in each suit. The parties filed, each, an Amended Statement of Claim and an Amended Statement of Defence. At the close of pleadings, those three suits were then consolidated for hearing.
The 1st Appellant was by letter ADM/REG/360 dated 13th September, 1965, offered appointment as a Professor of Zoology in the Faculty of Science with effect from 1st September, 1965. The letter conveying this offer was tendered as Ex. "P2". The offer Ex. "P2" was accepted by the 1st Appellant and the Memorandum as to the Terms and Conditions of the Appointment of 1st Appellant was tendered as Ex. "P1". The Regulations G…