ZAMFARA STATE GOVT & ORS V. ZEVHAGO (NIG.) CO.

ALI ABUBAKAR BABANDI GUMEL, J.C.A. (Delivering the Lead Ruling): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Zamfara State High Court delivered on 23rd May, 2019 in Suit Number ZMS/GS/M.634/2018, per Shinkafi, J. 

The Appellants herein were the Defendants before the High Court of Zamfara State and the within named Respondent was the Claimant. In a statement of claim dated 13th November, 2018, without a specific date of filing, the Claimant claimed the sum of N36,756,691.52 (Thirty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Naira, Fifty Two Kobo) with 20% interest per annum until the liquidation of the judgment sum. The statement of claim was frontloaded with a number of copious documents that were to be relied on at the trial of the action. The Defendants/Appellants were duly served with the Writ of Summons, statement of claim and its supporting processes. They failed to file a statement of defence as required by Order 11 Rule 4 of the Zamfara State…