IGUH, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The proceeding leading to this appeal has had a long and chequered history. It was first initiated in the Ikeja Judicial Division of the then High Court of Justice of the former Western Nigeria some thirty-five years ago, precisely on the 10th day of March, 1965. For reasons not apparent from the record of proceedings the case sojourned through not less than twelve courts presided over by various judges beginning with Somolu, J, as he then was, until it finally found itself before Oguntade, J, as he then was, on the 16th day of November, 1982.
Apparently concerned with the protracted nature and very old age of the dispute, the learned trial Judge after criticising justifiably the seeming prevailing poor litigation machinery of the time immediately commenced the actual hearing of the case the following day, the 17th November 1982. I think this type of attitude to work is clearly commendable and distinctly worthy of emulation.
Adverting …