Alhaji Tajudeen Babatunde Hamzat & Anor V. Alhaji Saliu Ireyemi Sanni & Ors (2015)
LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report
SULEIMAN GALADIMA, J.S.C.
This appeal by the appellants, who were respondents, is against the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division delivered on the 5th day of March 2012.
Briefly, the facts of this case are that the appellants as plaintiffs instituted an action against the Respondents as Defendants in the High Court of Ogun State, Sagamu Judicial Division, by their Writ of Summons dated 18th day of December, 2001. In the writ which was issued and signed by their counsel “MUYIWA OBANEWA Esq. of OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA and Co. Legal Practitioners, the plaintiff claimed as follows:
“1. A Declaration that the 1st plaintiff is the rightful holder of the office of the Chief Imam of Isara-Remo having been duly turbaned on the 23rd day of August, 2001 by the generality of the Muslim community in Isara-Remo.
- A Declaration that the purported turbaning of the 1st Defendant as Chief Imam of Isara Remo on the 21st day of August, 2001 by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants is irregular, null and void and of no effect as the appointment and turbaning was done without the consent of the Muslim community in Isara-Remo.
- An order setting aside the purported turbaning of the 1st Defendant as Chief Imam of Isara-Remo of 24th day of August 2001 by the 2nd and 3rd Defendant.”
On pages 47 – 48 and 83-84 the “statement of claim” and “Amended statement of claim” of the plaintiff respectively were both signed by their counsel thus:
“OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA & CO.
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, SOLICITORS
TO THE PLAINTIFFS.”
In proof of their claim, the Appellants in both their pleadings and evidence contended that the 1st Appellant was turbaned the Chief Imam of Isara-Remo, Ogun State by one Alhaji Rabiu Sunmolorun, the Baba Adinni of Isara Remo General Mosque on 23/8/2001 after appointment by Muslim Chiefs in the Central Mosque and by the majority of 112 out of 161 of the Imamu of the Ratibi Mosque and after ratification by the worshippers at the Central Mosque.
The Learned trial Judge after taking evidence of witnesses and addresses of counsel to the respective parties found in favour of the Appellants and granted all their claims. The Respondents herein dissatisfied with this decision appealed to the Court of Appeal which held that the appellants’ claim was not proved and accordingly dismissed the appeal. It was against that decision the appellants have now come to this court.
From their Amended Notice of Appeal deemed filed on 13/6/2013 containing 5 (Five) grounds, 3 (three) issues distilled for determination from the Appellants brief signed by their counsel TOYIN BASHORUN and filed on 23/10/2013, are as follows:
“(i). Whether or not the Court of Appeal was right to have held that the Respondents (Appellants herein) failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them that the 1st Respondent (1st Appellant) was properly appointed by the appropriate appointers; as the Chief Imam of Isara – Remo.
(ii). Whether or not the Court below rightly analysed the evidence of PW2 and PW3 who were in position of authority and who had in themselves conducted investigative enquiry into the authenticity of the appointment of the 1st Appellant as Chief Imam of Isara – Remo.
(iii). The Position of the Odemo of Isara – Remo as member and chair of the Chieftaincy Committee pursuant to the Ogun State Chiefs Law.”
On their part the respondents raised a sole issue for determination through their counsel ADEWOLE ADEGOKE Esq, filed their brief of argument on 6/8/2013 as follows:
“Whether the honourable court below was right in holding that the Appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them that the 1st Appellant was properly appointed by the appropriate appointors as the Chief Imam of Isara-Remo, thereby allowing the appeal of the Respondents and dismissing the case of the Appellants as presented at the trial court.”
The Respondents’ have filed a Notice of preliminary objection by which they are challenging the competence of the statement of claim of the Appellants and which evidence of their witnesses at the trial court was based and the power of the trial court to entertain the Appellants’ claim. They prayed that the suit ought to have been dismissed.
I must also observe that the Appellants Reply brief was filed on 23/11/2013, essentially to respond to the Respondents’ Preliminary objection. They also responded to the other issues raised by the respondents in their brief.
On the 10th day of November, 2014 when this appeal came up for hearing. Learned Counsel for their respective parties adopted and relied on the briefs of argument. It is then learned counsel for respondents referred to the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by them in which they are challenging the competence of the statement of claim of the Appellant on which evidence of the Appellants witnesses at the trial court was based. Their main plank of the objection is that the statement of claim contained on pp. 41 – 48 of the record of appeal was signed by “OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA AND CO.” as “Legal Practitioners, solicitors to the plaintiffs.” In raising the objection the respondents were not unmindful of the fact that it was not raised at the two courts below and that it is being raised for the first time in this court. It is however, submitted that the issue of jurisdiction is very fundamental in the adjudicatory process, as it touches on the competence of the court to hear and determine a matter before it. That the existence or absence of jurisdiction in a court goes to the root of the matter and sustains or nullifies whatever decision the court may arrive at, no matter how sound. Learned Counsel relied on COTECNA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED v. IMB LIMITED (2006) 9 NWLR (pt.985) 275 at 279 and SLB CONSORTIUM LTD v. NNPC (2011) 9 NWLR (Pt.1252) 317 at 332.
It is submitted that since the Law Firm of “OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA and CO.” is not legal practitioner recognized under the law, it follows that the firm cannot sign any process for filing in the court, and therefore the said statements of claim being both legal documents, that ought to have been signed by a named legal practitioner on behalf of the Appellants, are liable to be struck out having not been signed by a legal practitioner known to law. Reliance was placed on the cases of OKAFOR v. NWEKE (2007) 10 NWLR (pt.1043) 521 and SLB CONSORTIUM LIMITED v. NNPC (supra).
On the question of the appropriate or consequential order this court should make, in the circumstance of this case, learned counsel has submitted that an order of dismissal of the appellants’ action is quite appropriate. He relied on IDOKO v. OGEIKWU (2003) 7 NWLR (pt.819) 275 at 292 -293, Y.S.G. MOTORS LTD v. OKONKWO (2010) 15 NWLR (pt.1217) 524 at 543; he is however not unmindful of the decision of this court in NIGERIA AIRWAYS LTD v. LAPITE (1990) 7 NWLR (pt.163) 392 at 404 but that the facts of that case are quite different and distinguishable from the facts of the instant case. That in that case the trial had not been concluded and not even commenced at all, and therefore the case will not apply to or be authority for the mere striking out of the Appellants, case at the trial court.
It is the submission of the learned counsel for the appellants that the respondents concede that the writ of summons commencing the suit at the trial court is regular, hence the trial court had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. He has argued that the subject matter of the preliminary objection pertains to issues which were never raised at the court below. It is conceded however that the pleadings of the respondents, who were Defendants at the trial court, were based on the statement of claim and evidence led on the same by the said respondents herein. That the respondents as appellants in the court below appealed on points and issues they considered germane at the trial court which, in their view would have affected the decision by that court. That it is also a fact that the respondents as appellants at the Lower Court had their appeal upheld. That the appeal to this court relates to the decision of the Lower Court only. That this Court sits only on appeal in respect of decisions or pronouncements of the court below.
Hence, this court cannot and is not capable of entertaining any question in which there was no decision or pronouncement by the court below by virtue of Section 233(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. It is submitted therefore that this preliminary objection is incompetent in law and should not be sustained; more so that since the points now raised by the respondents in their preliminary objection is totally unconnected with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the subject matter of this appeal before this court.
My reaction to the respondents’ preliminary objection raised in this appeal will be brief for the purport of Order 2 Rule 9 (1) of the Rules of this court is very clear. It provides that:
“A respondent intending to rely upon a preliminary objection to the hearing of the appeal shall give the appellant three clear days notice thereof before the hearing, setting out the grounds of objection, and shall file such notice together with ten copies thereof with the Registrar within the same time.
The Respondents on 6th August, 2013 filed Respondents brief along with the preliminary objection both dated 5th of August, 2013.
By their Notice of Preliminary Objection the Respondents raised an objection to the jurisdiction of the trial court to hear this suit. The grounds upon which the objection is premised are as follows:
“(a). That statement of claim of the Appellants contained on pages 41 – 48 of the Record of appeal was signed by “OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA & CO’s person unknown to law as a legal practitioner.
(b). The incompetence is not anyway cured/rectified in subsequent pleadings filed by the Appellants at the trial Court.
(c). The trial Court assumed jurisdiction to try the case when there was a feature in it which prevented the court from exercising its jurisdiction.
(d). The evidence of all Plaintiffs’/Appellants’ witnesses was adduced on An incompetent statement of claim.
(e). A court can only assume jurisdiction over competent court processes.
(f). The honourable trial court was robbed of jurisdiction to entertain the suit and take evidence therein.
Both counsels are not disputing the facts that the claim of the appellant and evidence of their witnesses at the trial was based on the incompetent statement of claim.
It is clear though that this objection was not raised at the two courts below however, it is being raised for the first time before this court. The question as to whether a court has jurisdiction or not to entertain an action can be raised at anytime of the proceedings and even for the first time at the appellate court inclusive of this court. See PAN AFRICAN CO. LTD v. NICON (1982) 95C1. TUKUR v. GOVERNMENT GONGOLA STATE (1959) 4 NWLR (Pt.117) 517; TIZA v. BEGHA (2005) 15 NWLR (pt.949) 616.
For a court to be competent to assume jurisdiction, the following three conditions must be satisfied:
(a) The court must be properly constituted as regards number and qualification of members of the bench.
(b) The subject matter of the case must be within the jurisdiction of the court.
(c) The case must come before the court initiated by one process of law and upon fulfillment of all condition precedent to the exercise of the jurisdiction.
Any defect in competence of a court-process is fatal and the proceedings arising there from will be rendered a nullity, no matter how well conducted: See MADUKOLU v. NKEMDILIM (1962) 2SCNLR 341; SKENCONSULT (NIG.) LTD v. UKEY (1981) 1 SC6. SLB CONSORTIUM LTD v. NNPC (supra).
The argument put forward on this issue by the respondents is to the effect that the Appellants’ action at the trial court had features of an invalid pleadings, which ought to have prevented that court from exercising its jurisdiction, and therefore that case came up before the trial court not initiated by due process of law and without fulfillment of the condition precedent to the exercise of Jurisdiction.
In determining the respondents’ objection, I will consider the statement of the appellants dated 24th day of July, 2002 contained on pp.41-48 of the record of appeal headed “proposed Amended Statement of claim” said to have been amended on 7th day of March, 2005, pursuant to the order of Hon. Justice Adesida dated the 7th day of March 2005, contained on pp. 78 – 84 of the record of appeal. These two processes represent the pivot on which the evidence of the Appellants’ witnesses at the trial court was based. The statements were both signed by “OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA & CO” said to be issued by the “Legal Practitioners, Solicitors to the plaintiffs.”
Learned Counsel for the appellants does not dispute this but contended that the respondents have conceded in paragraph 4.18 of their brief of argument, whilst arguing this preliminary objection that:
“In the case leading to the instant appeal, parties filed and exchanged pleadings, on which issues were joined, called evidence and addressed the court. As the writ was regularly issued, the action was properly commenced/initiated and the trial court was therefore vested with preliminary jurisdiction.”
The argument of the learned counsel for the appellants, with due respect, is misconceived. It is without consideration of the preceding paragraph 4.17 and immediate paragraph 4.18 of the respondents’ brief on the issue of competence of the appellants’ statements of claim. The respondents have no grouse with the writ of summons dated 18/12/2001 which initiated the action. It was regularly signed by the learned counsel for the appellants thus:
“MUYIWA OBANEWA Esq. of OLUMUYIWA OF OLUMUYIWA OBANEWA & CO. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS.”
The respondents are challenging the competence of the two statements of claim of the appellants on which evidence of their witnesses at the trial court was based. It is beyond any argument that the law firm of “OLAMUYIWA OBANEWA & CO” is not legal practitioner recognized under the law. It cannot sign any process meant for filing in the court. The two statements of claim being legal documents ought to have been signed by the named legal practitioner on behalf of the Appellants.
This court was faced with a similar situation that came up for consideration in OKAFOR v. NWEKE (2007) 10 NWLR (supra) 521. In that case, the offending processes, the Motion On Notice, Notice of Cross-Appeal, and a Brief of Argument all signed by “JHC OKOLO SAN & CO” were all held to be incompetent, same having not been issued by a legal practitioner known to law, and were consequently struck out.
In holding these processes incompetent this court held at page 532 thus:
“I have taken into consideration the issue of substantial justice which is balanced on the other side of the scale of justice with the need to correct the current embarrassing trend in legal practice where authentication or franking of legal documents, particularly processes for filing in the Courts have not been receiving the serious attention they deserve from some legal practitioners. Legal practice is a very serious business that is to be undertaken by serious minded practitioners particularly as both the legally trained minds and those not so trained always learn from our example. We therefore owe the legal profession the duty to maintain the very high standards required in the practice of the profession in this country. The law exists as a guide for actions needed for the practice of the law, not to be twisted and turned to serve whatever purpose, legitimate or otherwise which can only best result in embarrassing the profession if encouraged.”
In SLB CONSORTIUM LTD v. NNPC (supra) this court citing the case of OKAFOR v. NWEKE (supra) struck out the plaintiffs Originating Summons and the statement of claim, both having been signed by “ADEWALE ADESOKAN & CO.. who was held not to be a legal practitioner known to law. It was further held that by that error the suit at the trial court “was not initiated by due process of law, and upon fulfillment of any condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction.”
In view of our clear position in OKAFOR v. NWEKE (supra) and other similar cases, I hold that the Appellant’s statements of claim on which evidence was led, were a nullity, same having been signed in the name of a law firm which, is not by the provisions of Sections 2(1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioner Act, Cap 207 Laws of the Federation, 1990, a person entitled to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor.”
Consequently the statements of claim are hereby struck out. I make no order as to costs.
SC.295/2012
