OKON JOHNSON NKEREUWEM AKPE NSITIGHE IKPAM CALISTUS NWAFOR EMMANUEL NWOKEZI ERIC TEENWI AFFIONG ETIM AMANGI ALA JOSEPH BAMISHAYE GODWIN TOMBRA CHARLES OKON DADA ROTIMI RAJI LATEEF TAIWO LAIDI OPUBO SUKUBO (FOR TH EMSELVES AND ON BEHALF O F OTHER SUPERNUMERARY POLICE OFFICERS WORKING AS SECUR IT Y OFFICERS FO R TH E PROT ECTION O F PROP ERT IES OF MO BIL PRO DUCIN G NIG ER IA UNLIMITED) V. MOBIL PRODUCING NIG. UNLIMITED INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AKWA IBOM STATE NIGERIA POLICE COUNCIL

ORJI-ABADUA JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellants had in their amended originating summons filed on 15 March 2005, before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, in the Uyo Judicial Division, sitting at Uyo, and then, presided over by his lordship, G. K. Olotu J. sought the following reliefs against the respondents: “1. A declaration that having regards to and/or considering the circumstances, nature, procedure and methods of the appointment and/or employment and work of the plaintiffs in theservice, work or employof the 1st defendant and provisions of sections 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the Police Act, the plaintiffs are employees, workers and staff of the 1st defendant entitled to all benefits, rights, emoluments, privileges, immunities, conditions of service and all legitimate protections as such. 2. A declaration that having regards to and considering the circumstances, nature, procedure and methods of the appointment and/or employment of the service or work of the plaintiffs …