CHIOMA EGONDU NWOSU-IHEME, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The 1st and 2nd Respondents were the Claimants at the trial Court in a suit they filed against the Appellants as Defendants.
The Appellants filed an objection challenging the jurisdiction of the trial Court to hear the case among other objections on the ground that the suit as constituted was statute barred against the Public Officers therein by virtue of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Law of Akwa Ibom State.
In a considered Ruling delivered by Enoh Isangedighi, J, of the Eket Division of the Akwa Ibom State High Court on the 15th of December, 2016 in suit No. HEK/106/2014, the learned trial Judge dismissed the motion challenging his jurisdiction on the grounds among other grounds that the Statute of Limitation Law i.e the Public Officers Protection Law is not mandatory but directory and that the Appellants having filed a statement of defence, are deemed to have waived their right to complain. This appe…