AMINA ADAMU AUGIE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Lead Judgment):
The Appellants were appointed full-time Chairman and Members respectively of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission [E.S.l.E.C.] by the State Governor. The first paragraph of the letters of appointment, dated 10/10/2008 and issued to each one, reads:
I am pleased to inform you that the Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Olusegun Adebayo Oni has graciously approved your appointment as Full-time [Chairman/Member] State Independent Electoral Commission with effect from 8/10/2008. The appointment is at the pleasure of the Governor please.
The tenure of Engr. Olusegun Adebayo Oni as Governor ended on 15/10/2010, when his election was nullified by the Court of Appeal. After the then new Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi came on board, the Appellants, on 22/10/2010, heard an announcement on radio that the new administration had dissolved all the Commissions Boards and Parastatals in Ekiti State, including the said E.S.I.E.C.
When they wer…