KATSINA-ALU, JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellant was the plaintiff in this action. It was an action for wrongful termination of his appointment against the respondents as defendants. In the suit the plaintiff claimed in his amended statement of claim in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the following reliefs:-
“(i) A declaration that as at 15th of September, 1987 when his appointment was purportedly terminated by 1st defendant, he was an employee of 2nd defendant.
(ii) A declaration that letter dated 15th September, 1987 in which the 1st defendant purportedly terminated his appointment with retrospective effect is null and void in that he was not an employee of 1st defendant and his appointment cannot be determined with retrospective effect.
(iii) A declaration that the purported termination of his appointment by the 1st defendant vide a letter dated 15 September, 1987 is null and void being in breach of the Federal Civil Service Rules of 1974 and/o…