THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED & ANOR V. DOUGLAS ERIATA & ANOR

JIMI OLUKAYODE BADA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from the Judgment of High Court of Justice Warri Division in the Delta State of Nigeria in Suit No. HOR/24/2000 DOUGLAS ERIATA V. (1) SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED (2) V.S. OLAREWAJU (3) COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, DELTA STATE delivered on the 26th day of April, 2004.

Briefly, the facts of this case are that by Paragraph 27 of the Statement of Claim, the Plaintiff claimed

(1) Against the Defendants jointly and severally, a declaration that the alleged termination of the Plaintiffs appointment on the 9th of January 1997, following his suspension from duty vide letter dated 7th January 1997 is improper, wrongful, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and against the principles of natural justice.

(2) Against the 3rd Defendant, a Declaration that his ratification of the termination of the Plaintiffs appointment vide letter Ref AH/6700/DTS. Volume 1/74 of 18th February 1997, is contrary to the …