<p><strong> OBADINA, JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment) </strong> This is an appeal against the judgment of the High Court of Plateau State sitting in Jos , delivered by Dakyen J. on the 24th of July, 1996.</p><p>The appellants were defendants before the learned trial court, while the respondent was the plaintiff. The respondent’s writ of summons taken under undefended list procedure, reads as follow:- “The plaintiff ’s claim from the defendants (jointly and severally) the sum of N136,087.50 (One hundred and thirty- six thousand, eighty-seven Naira, fifty Kobo) being the unpaid balance of professional fee for the legal services he rendered to the defendants at the request of the defendants in the areas of documentation and perfection of the Deed of Assignment between the 1st defendant and Mobil Oil (Nig.) Ltd. covering the property No. PL 13525 in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria, wherein the 2nd defendant acted as an agent to the 1st defendant. The plaintiff also claims from the defendants</p><p>(jointly and severally) …</p>