MOHAMMED, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): By a writ of summons dated 17-9-1996, the plaintiff instituted this action against the defendant for wrongful termination of employment. Pleadings were duly filed and later amended by the parties before the plaintiff's claims came for hearing before the High Court of Justice of Delta State at Warri. In his amended statement of claim, the plaintiff claimed in paragraph 36, the following reliefs -
"36. WHEREFORE the plaintiff claim as follows:
(a) A declaration that the purported termination is wrongful, malicious null and void and (of) no legal effect whatsoever. The sum of N9,000,000.00 (nine million naira) which represents the plaintiff's salary from 1991-1996.
The sum of N2,800,000.00 (two million eight hundred thousand naira) which represents long service award entitlements. The sum of N200,000.00 (two hundred thousand naira) which represents long service award entitlement.
The sum of N16,200,000.00 (sixteen million two hundred thou…