THEODORE JIM FUBARA GABRIEL DAPPU FUBARA AKIESOBO J. J. FUBARA KALADA D. FUBARA DAGOGO J. FUBARA GOGO I. FUBARA MIEPIRI E. FUBARA (FOR THEMSELVES AND AS REPRESENTING THE ORUIGONIKO AND DAPPU RULING FAMILIES OF OPOBO WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 5TH AND 7TH DEFENDANTS/RESPONDENTS) V. PROF. DAGOGO M. J. FUBARA GEORGE K. FUBARA BROWN D. FUBARA MONDAY I. FUBARA MICHAEL S. FUBARA OGOMIE D. FUBARA JOSEPH P. FUBARA WARIBO F. FUBARA DIMKPA J. FUBARA

ADEREMI JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appeal is against the ruling of the High Court of Rivers State sitting at Bori Division in suit No. BHC/61/93 delivered on 23rd June, 1994 wherein the learnedtrial Judge in holding that the plaintiffs’counsel, H. E. Wabara lacks locus standi to represent the plaintiffs before him held, inter alia :

“(1) That H.E. Wabara Esq. who has appeared for the plaintiffs/applicants in this case while their existingcounsel (B. M. Wifa Esq.) has not yet withdrawn his appearance from the case and while the plaintiffs/applicants has not informed the court of any change of their counsel; and who is not holding brief for the plaintiffs/applicants’counsel (B. M. Wifa Esq.) lacks the locus standi and is improperly before me in this case yet.

(2) That the existing earlier motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, filed by the plaintiffs/applicants through B. M. Wifa Esq. on 6/2/93 is still valid and is hereby adjourned for argument on Monday 27/6…