EKPE JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the ruling of Effiong J. delivered on 30/3/2001 at the Calabar Division of the High Court of Cross River State in suit No. HC/MSC.52/2001. The respondent herein as plaintiff in the court below initiated the proceedings against the defendants now appellants leading to this appeal by motion ex parte filed on 19/3/2001, and prayed that court for the following: “1. An order restraining the 1st and 4th defendants from attempting to contract any form of marriage whether customary or English whilst the marriage between the plaintiff and the 1st defendant still subsists.
An order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd and 3rd defendants from arranging for any form of marriage between the 1st defendant and the 4th defendant or any other person without first of all dissolving the earlier marriage between the plaintiff and the 1st defendant.
And for such further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the c…