ALI ABUBAKAR BABANDI GUMEL, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is a consolidated appeal against 2 decisions of 2 different judges of the Warri Division of the High Court of Delta State in Suit No. W/91/96. The first decision was the ruling of Narebor, J. dated 14th April, 1997, while the second decision was that of Akpomudjere, J. dated 27th October, 2000. The 66 Respondents, who were plaintiffs at the High Court, took out a writ, endorsed with the following claim:
"The plaintiffs' claim against the defendant is as follows: - The sum of N50, 372,894.00 (Fifty Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Four Naira) being the total sum of money accruing and due to the plaintiffs as salaries and benefits, the plaintiffs being bona fide employees of the defendant, from 10th day of April, 1992 to the 15th day of March, 1996 based on the yearly collective agreement entered into between NUPENG (National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers) and…