UWAIS, C.J.N (Delivering the Leading Judgment):-This is an appeal from the decision of the Court of Appeal, Benin. The appellant were the plaintiffs in the High Court of Ondo State holden at Okitipupa, while the respondents were the defendants.
The plaintiffs' cause of action arose from a letter written on 16th November, 1990 on behalf of the then Military Governor of Ondo State (by a Director-General in his Office) to the Chairman of Ikale Local Government Caretaker Committee.
The letter reads as follows:-
"Department of Local Government
and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Office of the Military Governor,
Akure.
16th November, 1990.
CD/C.6/9/Vol.111/809
The Chairman,
lkaIe Local Government Caretaker Committee,
Okitipupa.
FILLING OF JEGUN OF IDEPE CHIEFTAINCY
I am directed to refer to the exchange of correspondence resting with your letter No. ILG.576/193 dated 1st November, 1990 concerning the above subject, and to now request you to set the necessary machinery in motion to fill the vacant st…