ABDU ABOKI, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, delivered on the 5th day of May 2016.
The facts leading to this appeal are that the Appellant, was Solicitor to the Respondents in SUIT NO. ID/49/84, which he took over in 2009, after his father, who had been representing the Respondents in the matter, died. The matter was about the ownership of a large parcel of land (about 102 acres). After taking over the matter, the Appellant entered into a retainership agreement dated 19th January, 2012 with the Respondents. Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Retainership Agreement state as follows:
1. The Clients contracted the Counsel to take over the prosecution of Suit No. ID/49/84 (ALHAJA N. SHEKONI and ORS v. G. A. LAWAL and ORS) pending before Hon. Justice Oke-Lawal, sitting at the High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, from the Chambers of late Chief Kunle Oyewo.
2. The Counsel was contracted to represent all the Claimants in t…