NZEAKO, J.C.A. (Delivered the Leading Judgment): In the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria, each of the seven appellants in this appeal, as plaintiffs and employees of the 1st respondents/defendants took out a writ of summons against them, and the other respondents in this appeal. Their claims arose out of the same events in the course of their employment with the respondents.
Each one sought the following reliefs:-
1. A declaration that the letter of dismissal issued by the respondents was null and void and of no effect.
2. Payment of unpaid salaries and allowances.
3. Special damages
4. General damages.
Each plaintiff set out the particulars of his claim as constituted in his pleadings. By order of the trial court, the suits were consolidated and heard together. After some delay, which looked as if the defendants were intent on obstructing the trial of the suits, the defendants filed their statement of defence. This was after the trial court had refused tw…