JOSEPH OLUBUNMI KAYODE OYEWOLE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from the judgment of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting at Oron in the Oron Judicial Division, delivered by Archibong J, on the 7th December, 2011.
The parties were marine transporters based in oron, Akwa-Ibom state and plying the Oron, Nigeria- Idenau in Cameroon route. A dispute arose over loading arrangements which resulted in the disruption of the appellant's business operations upon which he took out a writ against the respondents before the trial Court seeking the following reliefs as per paragraph 26 of the statement of claim dated 18th March, 2008:
''A declaration that the action of the defendants in impounding four boats of the plaintiff and depriving him of right to load his boat at New Marina Beach, Oron is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the fundamental right of the plaintiff to associate and conduct his business in any part of Nigeria.
A declaration that the action…