<p><strong>IBRAHIM MOHAMMED MUSA SAULAWA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment):</strong> The present appeal is against the ruling of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, delivered on August 11, 1995 in suit No. ID/2786/93. By the ruling in question, the lower court, coram A. A. Phillips, J. (as the learned trial judge then was), upheld the 1st Respondent&#x27;s preliminary objection, and accordingly dismissed the Appellants&#x27; suit for want of jurisdiction. </p><p> <strong><u>BACKGROUND FACTS</u></strong></p><p> The facts and circumstances surrounding the appeal are discernible from the records of appeal. The Appellants are the acclaimed principal members and accredited representatives of the Esimikan family of Ilado-Odo and Inagbe-Odo villages, in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State. The 1st Respondent is a Federal Government Corporation responsible, inter alia, for the prospecting, drilling, marketing, et al of petroleum products in Nigeria. The 2nd Respondent is the Chief legal Officer of Lagos State.</p><p> The genesis …</p>