ARCHITECT DAIRUS ISHAKU V. CHIEF SOLOMON AKUMA, SAN (PRACTISING UNDER THE LAW FIRM OF AKUMA & AKUMA)

BALKISU BELLO ALIYU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Lead Ruling): The Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1000/2025 was filed against the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja Judicial Division (trial Court), delivered on the 21st May 2025 by Hon. Justice Edward Okpe. The judgment was in respect of Suit No: CV/6323/2023 filed by the Respondent as the Claimant against the Appellant (Defendant) under the undefended list procedure of the trial Court, by which the Respondent sought the payment of the sum of ₦165,000,000.00 being outstanding balance of his professional fees for legal services rendered in the Taraba State Governorship, Senatorial and House of Representatives Election Petitions handled by him for the Applicant, and interest on the said sum. Upon service of the originating processes on the Applicant, he filed affidavit of intention to defend the suit, consequent upon which the trial Court transferred the suit to its general cause list, and parties filed and exchanged ple…