<p><strong> AWOTOYE JCA(Delivering the Lead Judgment): </strong> This is the judgment in respect of appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa Bayelsa State delivered on 14 July 2009 in suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/4305- 4320/06 Dadoru Benson (suing through his lawful attorney <em> Chief Francis </em> <em> E. Egele) v. Mobil Producing (Nig.) Unlimited</em>.</p><p>The plaintiffs/appellants took out the writ of summons on 10 November 2006. By their paragraph of the amended statement of claim dated 13 May 2008, the plaintiffs claimed as follows:</p><p>“1. Five hundred and ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine (599,999) bundles of fishing nets at ₦10,000.00 (ten thousand naira) per bundle of net which sum is ₦5,999,990,000.00 (five billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira).</p><p>Whereof the plaintiff claims a total sum of ₦5,999,990,000.00 (five billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira), being special damages for the destruction of t…</p>