RHODES-VIVOUR, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In the Federal High Court Abuja Judicial Division the respondents ("the plaintiffs") sued the appellant and the Attorney-General of the Federation ("the defendants") on a specially endorsed writ claiming as follows:
"1.(a) The 1st plaintiffs claim against the defendants jointly and severally the sum of N47,635,918:88 (Forty seven Million six hundred and thirty-five thousand nine hundred and eighteen Naira eighty eight Kobo) being the unpaid outstanding balance of the negotiated and agreed sum due to the 1st plaintiff and interest calculated at the rate of 30% per annum from the 27th of June 2000 till Judgment and thereafter at 12% until the entire Judgment is liquidated.
(b) The 2nd plaintiff's claim against the defendants jointly and severally the sum of N35,361,226.44 Thirty-five Million, three hundred and sixty one thousand two hundred and twenty-six Naira forty-four kobo) representing the unpaid outstanding balance of the ne…