KUDIRAT MOTONMORI OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The respondent herein, as plaintiff before the High Court of Rivers State sitting at Port Harcourt, instituted an action against the appellant, as defendant where, by paragraph 30 of its statement of claim dated 30/12/1996 filed on 6/1/1997, it sought the following reliefs:
"a) N502,400.00 being balance outstanding against the defendant in respect of electrical work carried out on its behalf by the plaintiff in September 1995 and July 1996.
b) N1.9 million being damages and losses plaintiff suffered by reason of the defendant's failure to pay the contract price as and when due.
c) N20 million general damages for breach of contract and libel of the plaintiff by the defendant.
d) 25% interest per annum on the total sum of N22,402,400.00 from December 1996 until judgment is delivered in the matter and thereafter 25% interest per annum thereon until full payment thereof is made."
Pleadings were filed and exchan…