Chief M. O. Olatunji V. Owena Bank (Plc) & Anor (2008)
LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report
MUSDAPHER, J.S.C.
The appellant herein was the plaintiff, he was an Owner of a Saw Mill Factory at Ado Ekiti. On the 13th of August, 1997, the first respondent herein appointed and instructed the second respondent a licensed auctioneer, to remove Vi et armis all the Saw Mill equipments. The appellant demanded the return of the equipment without success. He sued at Ado Ekiti High Court for the return of the equipments and for damages for wrongful and illegal removal of the equipments. The High Court in its judgment delivered on the 21/3/2000, did not order for the return of the equipments but awarded damages in the Sum of N30,793,000.00 in favour of the appellant against the respondents. The appellant as the judgment creditor immediately on the same date i.e 21/3/2000 applied for a writ of execution of the judgment to enforce the payment of the judgment debt. The writ was issued on the same day but was served on the 1st respondent on the 27/3/2000. The 1st respondent accepted the service of the writ and issued its own bank draft for the total sum of the judgment debt aforesaid.
On the 28th day of March 2000 the respondents herein as applicants filed a Motion on Notice praying for:
“An Order of Court setting aside the execution of judgment levied by the plaintiff/judgment creditor/respondent in this suit on 27th day of March, 2000, on the ground that the said execution
was conducted illegally, unlawfully and/or flagrant violation of law calculated to overreach the decision of this court in Motion for stay filed and pending in this Court.”
It appears that the respondents had on the same 21/3/2000 filed a motion to stay the execution of the judgment pending appeal which was also filed on the same date.
It was the motion to set aside the execution of the judgment on which the 1st respondent had issued a cheque in settlement thereof that resulted in this appeal. The learned trial judge in his consideration of the Motion to set aside the execution of the judgment held:-
“xxxxxxx I hold that the requirement of Order IV Rule 1(2) of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act Cap 407 Laws of the Federation was not complied with in this case before the Writ of Execution was issued. The Writ of Execution in this case ought not to have been issued on the 21st day of March, 2000 the very day the judgment of the court was delivered. The Writ of Execution issued in this case on the 21st day of March, 2000 and the execution levied xxxxxxx on the 27th March, 2000 are hereby set aside xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. ”
The appellant felt unhappy with the ruling and filed a Notice of Appeal. The Court of Appeal Ilorin in its consideration of the matter before it, discussed the following provisions:-
(i) Section 20 Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.
(ii) Section 94(1) Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.
(iii) Order IV Rules 1(2),5 and 16 of the judgment [Enforcement] Rules.
(iv) Section 2 part 1 Judgment [Enforcement] Rules.
The Court of Appeal considered two issues. It is the second issue that is concerned in this appeal. The second issue reads thus:-
“Whether the Writ of Attachment for sum of money, which was signed on 21/3/2000 and executed on 27/3/2000, was irregular and unlawful.”
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal resolved issue No. 2 recited above against the appellant. It held that issuance and the execution of the writ of attachment was irregular and unlawful. It is against the judgment that the appellant has now further appealed to this Court. The Notice of Appeal filed contained two grounds of appeal. In his brief for the appellant, the learned counsel has identified the following issue as arising for the determination of the appeal. The issue reads:-
“Whether the application for and the issuance of a Writ of Execution of Judgment for Sum of money payable under a judgment immediately after delivery of judgment is invalid under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act or the Rules made there under.”
The respondent’s issue is not different from the one submitted by the appellant. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that a judgment of a court becomes effective and can be enforced from the moment of its pronouncement, until the judgment or order is vacated, discharged or set aside by the court or a superior court on appeal. Learned counsel relies and cites the cases of INTERCONTRACTORS [NIG] LTD V. UAC OF NIGERIA LTD [1988J 2 NWLR (Pt 76) 303, BANK OF WEST AFRICA VS. N.I.P.C LTD, [1962J LLR 31, OLAYINKA V. ELUSANMI [1971] 1 NMLR 227. It is further submitted that the provisions of section 20 (1) – (3) of the Sheriffs and Civil (Process) Act, give the right to a judgment creditor and entitles him to recover judgment forthwith by an application to the registrar for a writ of attachment and sale of attached goods, unless the judgment stipulates a particular date or time of payment.
It is further argued that in view of the clear meaning of the words in the Act in section 20 (1) – (3), Order IV Rule I (2) of the Rules does not apply for money payable under a judgment and if it did, it is in conflict with section 20(1) and where a conflict exists between a substantive law the rule or order in a subsidiary legislation must give way. See IN RE FLETCHER OFFICAL RECIVER [1956] CH 28. It is further added that the practice in England with respect to the recovery of money supports the provision of Section 20 of the Act. See Order 45 Rule 1 (6) of the Supreme Court Practice J 985. See also HALSBURY’s LAWS OF ENGLAND 3rd edition, Volume 22 paragraph 1658. Writ of FIFA may issue immediately whenever a judgment is pronounced without notice to the judgment debtor see LAND CREDITOR COMPANY OF IRELAND V. FERMOY (1870) L.R 4 CH 323, HOPTON V. ROBERTSON (1884) W.N. 77, 23 QBD 126. RE A SOLICITOR [1884] 33 W.R 131.
It is further stressed that, where right and remedies co-exist in the same statute such as in sections 20 – 23 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act one cannot be disassociated from the other. See EGUAMWENSE V. AMAGHIZEMWEN [1993] 9 NWLR (Pt 315). I Q23 Order iv rule 1(1) and (2) relate only to possession of land and does not extend to the execution of judgment where money was only involved. The provisions of Order IV Rules 1 (2) cannot be used or involved to restrict, abridge or inhibit or redirect the provisions of the substantive law. The Rules made under a statute cannot take away rights expressly conferred in a substantive statute. See TOTAL NIGERIA PLC V. MOSHOOD ADELEYE AKINPELU AND OTHERS [2000] 21 WRN 76.
The learned counsel for the respondent on the other hand submit that the relevant statutory provisions to this appeal are sections 20(1) 20(2) of the Sheriffs and Civil [Process] Act Cap 407 LFN 1990 and Order IV Rule I (2) of the Judgment [Enforcement] Rules made under Cap 407 LFN 1990. It is submitted that a judgment creditor cannot proceed forthwith on the same day on which the judgment was delivered to issue a writ of attachment pursuant to section 20(2) unless the judgment debtor has defaulted or failed, to pay the judgment sum.
It is again submitted that section 20(1) is only permissive or discretionary in the sense that it only permits the recovery of the judgment sum by the judgment creditor. This is to be distinguished from the mandatory provisions of section 20(2) dealing with the duty imposed on the Registrar, who “shall cause Writ Attachment to be issued.” It is again argued that there are other provisions of the Act, which provide for time and manner for levying execution and effect must be given to those provisions. The provisions of order IV Rules (1) and 4 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules are designed to complement and explain the provisions of the Act and they form integral part of it.
It is again submitted that if the court upholds the appellant’s contention, it will lead to absurdity in the sense that if a judgment creditor is to proceed to levy execution immediately on all the judgment debtors’ assets even on the judgment debtor’s immovable properties this will definitely go against the grain that it is only after no movable assets are available to satisfy the judgment debt, it may then proceed against the immovable assets.
It is further submitted that by the clear provisions of Order IV rule (2), the appellant must comply with the provisions of the order and the “process” cannot be issued “until” the expiration of fourteen days from the day on which judgment is given. It is again stressed that Order IV rule (2) is a mandatory order and can only be by-passed with the leave of court. See BAYERO V. CRUSADER INSURANCE COMPANY LTD [1998] 6 NWLR (Part 553) 214. LIVERPOOL BOROUGH BANK V. TURNER [1861] 30 L.J CH.379.
It is again submitted that Order IV is not In conflict with the provision of section 20 of the Act and the order applies to judgment for the recovery’ of money. It is further argued that the AKINPELU’s case can be distinguished from this case in that the provisions of Order IV Rule 1 (2) of the Judgment [Enforcement] Rules did not feature for consideration.
Now, it is agreed by both the appellant and the respondents that the relevant statutory provisions that fall for consideration in this appeal are:
Section 20 (1) of the Sheriffs and Civil (Process) Act and section 20 (2) and Order IV Rule 1 (l) and 2 of the Judgment [Enforcement] Rules made pursuant to section 94 of the aforesaid Act. The provisions read:-
“Section. 20 (1)
Any sum of money payable under a judgment of a court may be recovered, in case of default or failure of payment thereof forthwith or at the time or times and in the manner thereby directed, by execution against the goods and chattel and the immovable property of the judgment debtor in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Section 20 (2)
The Registrar on the application of the judgment creditor shall cause to be issued a Writ of Attachment and sale whereby the sheriff shall be empowered to levy or cause to be levied by distress and sale of goods and chattels, wherever they may be found within the division or district of the court, the money payable under the judgment and the costs of the execution.”
Order IV Rule I and Rule II
Judgment [Enforcement] Rules made pursuant to section 94 of the Act read.
Rule I
No Writ of Possession shall be issued until after the expiration of the day on which the defendant is ordered to give possession of the land, or, if no day has been fixed by the court for giving possession, until after the expiration of fourteen days from the day which the judgment is given.”
Now, considering these provisions, the question may be asked when does a judgment to pay a sum of money becomes recoverable. Can a judgment creditor apply for a writ of fifa immediately a judgment is pronounced or must a judgment creditor wait for a default or failure to satisfy the judgment debt or must the judgment creditor wait for 14 days or 3 days after the judgment In my view, unless the court otherwise orders a judgment of court to pay money takes effect from the day it is pronounced or delivered in court. However, the court at the time of making any judgment or order, or at any time afterwards, may direct the time within which the payment or other act is to be made or done. A person directed by. a decree or order of court to pay money or to do any other act is bound to obey the decree or order without any demand for payment or performance, and if no time is therein expressed he is bound to do so immediately the decree or order is pronounced. That is the language and meaning of the provisions of section 20(1) of the Sheriffs and Civil [Process] Act. This makes sense, for it behooves a successful plaintiff to act promptly, lest he loses the fruits of his victory. See BANK OF WEST AFRICA LTD V. NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND PROPERTIES CO. LTD.(supra), OLAYINKA V. ELUSANMI [1971] 1 NMLR 277. DADA V. THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS AND OTHERS [1971] 1 UILR. 344.
I am of the decided view that the key words under sections 20(1) of the Act are “recovered” “forth with” In the case of INTERCONTRACTORS NIGERIA LTD V. U.A.C. OF NIGERIA LTD (supra) or (1988) (Pt. 1) Vol. 9 NSCC 737 at 752. This court per KARIBI WHYTE J.S.C stated:-
“It is well settled that every judgment takes effect on pronouncement – see BANK OF WEST AFRICA LTD Vs. N.I.P.C LTD [1962] LLR 31; OLAYINKA V. ELUSANMI [1971] 1 NMLR 277. A judgment debtor seeking to stay the execution must show that he is challenging the judgment, or is asking for time to comply with the terms of the judgment.”
Now, the provisions of Order IV Rule I (1) and (2) in my view do not apply to the enforcement of judgment for the necessity o of money. Clearly rule 1 (1) talks of the issuance of a Writ of possession which does not have any bearing on the issue for the payment of money. Rule I (2) talk of “No other process” and process has been defined under the Rules as” one of interim attachment warrant to arrest an absconding defendant, warrant to arrest a ship and judgment summons” The “Process” referred to here does not include Writ of Attachment issued under section 20 of the Act. The Court of Appeal was clearly in error to have held that Order IV rule r (2) “applies to all other judgments other than judgment for the Writ of possession.” A writ of fi fa may issue to enforce a judgment or order for the payment to, or for the recovery by, any person of money. The practice which is well established for many years, is clear, that a writ of fifa may issue immediately upon payment becoming due upon a pronouncement in a judgment and as a matter of course without leave and “without the necessity of a prior notice to; or for prior service of the judgment or order upon the judgment debtor. See LAND CREDIT COY OF IRELAND V. FERMOY (supra). Accordingly, a judgment requiring the defendant to pay money to the plaintiff, is enforceable by writ of Fi Fa immediately it is entered even though no time is specified for the payment to be made and even though notice of the judgment, still less the judgment itself has not been served on the debtor. To answer the issue, I hold that a judgment to pay money as in this case is recoverable by the issuance of a “writ of fifa immediately the judgment is pronounced. It is only when the judgment debt is fully satisfied that can render the issue of the writ of execution void. See TOTAL V. E.M.C.C [1972] 8 – 9 SC 64. See also FAR EAST MERCHANTILE V. PHILLIPS [1974] 11 SC 225.
Having resolved the only issue canvassed by both the appellant and the respondents in favour of the appellant, this appeal succeeds and is allowed by me. I set aside the decisions of the lower courts. I hold that the ‘writ of attachment was regularly and lawfully” issued. I award the appellant costs at the High Court, Court of Appeal and in this court at N3,500, N7,500 and N50,000 respectively jointly against the respondents.
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