BULKACHUWA JCA (Delivering the Lead Ruling): By an application filed on the 16th of July, 2004, the applicants prayed for the following reliefs; An order granting the defendants/applicants extension of time within which to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No. FHC/
ABJ/CS/l14/99 written by the Hon. Justice Okechukwu J.
Okeke and dated the 14th of April, 2003 but delivered or read by the Hon. Justice Binta Murtala Nyako on the 4th of March, 2004 upon the grounds of appeal contained in the proposed notice of appeal annexed to the affidavit hereto and marked exhibit PAII.
An order extending the time within which to file the notice of appeal. And for such further or other orders as the court may deem fit and just to make in the circumstances.
The application being contentious, the court ordered that parties file briefs to expedite the hearing and the determination of the application. Parties , accordingly filed and exchanged their re…