W. S. N. ONNOGHEN, J.S.C (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, holden at Lagos in Appeal NO.CA/L/154/98 delivered on the 29th day of April, 2002 in which the court allowed the appeal of the present 1st respondent/cross appellant and dismissed the claim of the present appellants, thereby giving rise to the instant appeal.
By an originating summons No. LD/M/358/92 filed on 25/6/92, the appellants as plaintiffs raised the following questions for determination by the Lagos State High Court:-
"(i) Whether the employees of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited (N.S.P.M.C) are public officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the meaning of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.
(ii) Whether the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited is part of the public service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(iii) Whether the provisions of the Pensions Act, Cap.346 Laws of the …