M. MOHAMMED, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On 19th June,2002, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, by a unanimous decision set aside the judgment of the trial High Court of Justice of Kogi State sitting at Ajaokuta delivered on 22nd June,2000, dismissing the plaintiffs claims against the defendant. The present appeal is therefore by the defendant against that judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The case was initiated by the plaintiffs by an ex-parte application filed on 10th August,1995, where the plaintiffs sought for and obtained leave of the court to sue the defendant in a representative action. Subsequently, the plaintiffs brought their action in that capacity claiming in their paragraph 18 of the Amended Statement of Claim, the following reliefs:
WHEREOF the plaintiffs jointly and severally claim against the defendant as follows:
1. An order of this Honourable Court that the plaintiffs who were ex-security workers at different stages between January,1989 and December,199…