TOM SHAIBU YAKUBU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant, a Legal practitioner, was retained as an external solicitor by the respondent. He was engaged to defend an appeal for the respondent in this court in CA/B/91/94 - Jessica Trading Co. Ltd V. New Nigeria Bank Plc. The agreed and approved professional fee for the said handling of the aforementioned appeal by the appellant was N35,000.00. This was in 1992. The appellant was paid 50% of the said fee, that is, the sum of N17,500.00, at the onset of the agreement.
The said appeal lasted at this court for upwards of twelve years and the appellant had made thirty one (31) appearances in it. The appellant in May, 2004, wrote to the respondent, requesting for a review of his professional fee. The respondent in response, intimated the appellant that his request for a review of the professional fee would be considered at the conclusion of the appeal and upon the issuance of a final invoice by the appellant.
Judgment on th…