OGUNTADE, JCA (DELIVERING THE LEADING RULING): The respondent had as plaintiff before Adeniji J. at the Lagos High Court sued the appellant applicant on the basis of quantum meruit upon a contract between the parties. By the contract, the respondent, a legal practitioner, was to employ his services to recover from a third party a sum of ₦99m which was owed to the appellant/applicant. The respondent's fee was to be 10% of the amount collected for the appellant/applicant. The facts showed that the respondent had sued and got judgment for the appellant/applicant against the third party. But before the actual recovery of the judgment debt the appellant/applicant de-briefed the respondent, whereupon the respondent sued in contract for quantum meruit.
Adeniji J. refused the claim. But this court in a unanimous judgment delivered 31st May, 1999 allowed the appeal by the respondent and awarded to him the sum of five million naira on the basis of quantum meruit.
The appellant/applicant was dissa…