UNITED GEOPHYSICAL NIGERIA LIMITED V. FIDELIS OSIOBE JOHN BELEKE RAPHAEL ETUANOVBE ISAAC OBIE NIGERIA OGEDEGBE DICKES ERUTOBOR JACOB ETABOR GODWIN EBRUKEN MOSES OGHOJAFOR PIPA FESTUS PATRICK EVWIEKPAMARE

OGUNWUMIJU JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of the Delta State High Court presided over by Honourable Justice (Mrs.) Onagite-Kuejubola, delivered on 21 July 1998 wherein his lordship upheld the claim of the respondents and ordered the appellants to re-absorb the respondents as employees and to pay over to the respondents, their monthly salaries commensurate with their counterparts at all material times till date.

The respondents were employees of the appellant until 14 August 1987 when their services were terminated by the appellant. Being dissatisfied with their termination, the respondents took out a writ of summons from the Warri High Court, dated 31 August 1987 in suit No. W/170/87: Fidelis Osiobe and 10 Ors. v. United Geophysical Nig. Ltd. and 2 Ors. claiming declaration that their termination was null and void, damages, reinstatement and injunction.

After the parties exchanged their pleadings, called evidence and their respective couns…