DiamonF. OGBUAGU, JSCd Bank V. Partnership Investment Co. Ltd (2009)
LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report
F. OGBUAGU, JSC
This is an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division (hereinafter called “the court below”) delivered on the 19th December, 2002 dismissing the appeal of the Appellant to it and affirming the Judgment of the trial High Court – per Rhodes-Vivour, J. (as he then was) delivered on 12th April, 2000.
Dissatisfied with the said decision, the Appellant has further appealed to this Court It filed two separate Notices and Grounds of Appeal firstly, on 20th December, 2002 with two Grounds of Appeal and the second one on 8th January, 2003 with three Grounds of Appeal and which without their particulars, read as follows: .
“GROUND 1
The learned Appellate Judges (sic) erred in law and thereby came to a wrong decision when they held at page 12 of the judgment that: “it has been shown that Appellant owed the 1st Respondent a duty of care, it has been shown that Appellant has breached this duty. Damage as a result of the breach had equally been proved. Appellant should not have paid the 2 cheques without the prior confirmation in writing of the 1st Respondent”
GROUND 2
The Court of Appeal erred in law in upholding the judgment of. The trial court on the award of interest when it held at page 13 of the judgment that:
“the writ contains principal sum and the rate of interest for which recovery the (sic) action was commenced. Thus the fact as contained in the writ had become subsumed in the Statement of Claim”.
GROUND 3
The learned Court of Appeal erred in law in holding that the Appellant was negligent”.
The facts of the case briefly stated are that the 1st Respondent, was a Customer of the Appellant and maintained a Current Account with its Marina Branch, Lagos. On 28th December, 1994, the 1st Respondent requested the Appellant, to issue two (2) separate bank cheques otherwise called “Manager’s Cheques” one in the sum of N11,000,000.00 Eleven Million Naira) in favour of Eko Fisheries Ltd. and the other, in the sum of N6,250,000.00 (six Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Naira) in favour of first Yield Investment Ltd. The said cheques, were subsequently, delivered to the Beneficiaries. The Managing Director of the 1st Respondent (PW1), orally, requested the Manager of the Appellant – (DW3), not to pay the two cheques without a confirmation and clearance from the 1st Respondent. The said Manager, demanded that the request, be reduced in writing and this was done vide its letter dated 29th December, 1994 – (Exhibit C). However, when the cheques were presented for payment by the said Beneficiaries, the Appellant paid the two cheques through the 2nd Respondent in spite of or contrary to the said instructions in Exhibit C. The case of the Appellant or contention, is that the cheques being Certified Bank Drafts, were honoured on presentation. The Appellant pleaded that the value of the cheques, was on purchase, debited against the buyer’s Account thus making the Appellant, the Drawer or the cehques. Therefore, the 1st Respondent, was not in a position to give further instructions regarding the payment In other words, the Appellant alleged that being Bank Drafts, the 1″ Respondent cannot or could not and had no power, to countermand on them or to request the Appellant, to confirm the drafts before payment is/was made, against them. I note that the 2nd Respondent’s case, was that it properly discharged its duty as a “Collecting Bank”. By a Writ of Summons, the 1st Respondent claimed against the Appellant and the 2nd Respondent jointly and severally as follows:
“1 The sum of N6,2S0, 000.00 (Six million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira) being money received by the Defendants in negligently cashing the bank Draft made out by the 1st Defendant for the Plaintiff.
- The sum of N11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million Naira) against the 1st Defendant only being money negligently paid by it despite the Plaintiffs subsisting countermand and direct instructions not to pay until confirmation is given by the Plaintiff.
- Interest from the 29th day of December, 1994 at the rate of 21% per annum until date of judgment and at the rate of 6% per annum till final liquidation.
- Sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) being general damages following (sic) from the said negligently paid and cashed cheque by the Defendant”.
Pleadings were filed and exchanged by the parties. After the hearing,the learned trial Judge, found in favour of the 1st Respondent and entered judgment accordingly. His Lordship, however, refused the claim for general damages and dismissed the case against the 2nd Respondent. Aggrieved, by the said Judgment, the Appellant unsuccessfully, appealed to the court below which dismissed the appeal, hence this instant appeal.
The Appellant has formulated three (3) issues for determination namely:
“(i) Whether the Court of Appeal was right in finding that the 1″Respondent had validly pleaded negligence
(ii) Whether the Appellant owed the 1st Respondent a duty of care in respect of the 2 bank drafts.
(iii) Whether there was sufficient pleadings and proof of interest rate awarded in favour of the 1st Respondent”.
I note that the 1st Respondent, gave Notice of Objection attacking the said Grounds of Appeal in its Brief of Argument which it argued in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.15 thereof. It however, stated in paragraph 3.16 (ibid) that in the unlikely event the Court finds that one of the said grounds; is a ground of law which could sustain the appeal, that the Court, on the authority of Nwadike & 2 ors. v. Ibekwe & 2 ors. (1987) 4 NWLR (Pt.67) 718 @ 732 (it is also reported in (19871 12 S.C: 14) – per Agbaje, JSC, should strike out other offending grounds together with any issues distilled therefrom.
It however, thereafter, formulated two (2) issues for determination, which read as follows:
”4.2.1 Whether in the circumstances of this case, the Court of Appeal was right in finding that the Appellant was liable in negligence .
4.2.2. Whether the pleadings and evidence led thereon was sufficient to sustain the award of interest in favour of the Respondent”.
It had stated that grounds 1 and 3 of the Grounds of Appeal, could be subsumed under one (i) issue in order, according to it, to avoid proliferation of issues.
I note that the Appellant, filed a Reply Brief and when this appeal came up for hearing on 12th October, 2009, Aju, Esqr. – learned counsel for the Appellant, adopted their two Briefs. He urged the Court to allow the appeal after stating that the two lower courts below, treated the two instruments, as normal cheques instead of treating them as Bank drafts.
Agbor (Mrs,) – leading counsel for the 1″ Respondent, adopted their Brief and told the Court that they raised a Preliminary Objection in paragraph 3 of their Brief. He/she urged the Court to dismiss the appeal either on the Objection or on the merits, He/she debunked the assertion of his/her learned friend for the Appellant and stated that it is not true that the two lower courts, treated the instruments as normal cheques instead of bank drafts as also argued in their Brief. Thereafter Judgment was reserved till to-day.
I note that the Appellant in all the grounds of appeal; stated the I note that the Appellant, in its Brief of Argument in paragraph 2.8 stated that the Appellant,
” filed two Notices of Appeal respectively dated 20th December,2002 and 8th january,2003 against the judgement of the Court of Appeal.This is a further Appeal to the Supreme Court against the Judgement of the Lower Court”.
From paragraph 2.02 of its Reply Brief, it appears to me that it relies on the later Notice of Appeal filed on 8th January, 2003. I note that the Brief of the 1st Respondent, is predicated on the said Notice of Appeal. So be it. The 1st Respondent contend or submit that all the three grounds in the said Notice, are grounds other than grounds of pure law requiring that leave of the Court should have been obtained before they could be validly filed and argued. It therefore, prays and urges the Court to strike out all the grounds of appeal.
I note that the Appellant in all the grounds of appeal; stated the particulars of error in law. It is now settled that particulars of error alleged in a ground of appeal, are intended to highlight the complaint against the judgment on appeal. They are the specification of the error or misdirection in order to make it clear, how the complaint, is going to be canvassed in an attempt to demonstrate, the flow in a relevant aspect of the judgment. See the case of Osasona v. Oba A. Ajavi & 3 ors. (2004) 5 SCNJ, 82 – per Uwaifo, JSC.
Generally, where error of law or misdirection is made in a ground of appeal, the particulars of error of law or misdirection, must be given. There is nothing wrong in including the particulars of the error in the error itself. This will accord with justice by allowing the appeal to be determined on its merit See the case of Koya v. United Bank for Africa Ltd. (1997) 4 NWLR (pt. 481) 251 @ 274; (997) 1 SCNJ 1. Afterwards, it is said that the whole purpose of grounds of appeal, is to give to the other side, notice of the case it has to meet in the Appellate Court. The 1st Respondent, has not stated that it is unable to understand or appreciate what the complaint of the Appellant. is all about It never asked for further and better particulars. In my respectful view, this is a straight forward case in which the facts are clear and undisputed. I will prefer with respect, going straight to the merits of the case. I commend the industry of the learned counsel for the 1st Respondent in respect of the Preliminary Objection. But considering objectively the grounds of appeal and the particulars, I hold with respect, that all the grounds, are all grounds of law and no leave is required by the Appellant from this Court It is settled that where facts are not in dispute and the only complaint, is as to the way and manner the lower court has applied the law to those established undisputed facts, (as appears in the instant appeal), the ground of appeal, is one of law. See the case of Metal Construction (W.A.) Ltd. v. Migliore & ors. (1990) 1 NWLR (pt.126) 299 referred to in the Appellant’s’ Reply Brief. (it is also reported in (1990) 2 SCNJ. 20 as Migliore & ars. v. Metal Construction (West Africa) Ltd: In Re Miss C. Ogundare).
Now to the issues of the parties. I will take Issues (i) and (ii) of the Appellant and Issue 4.2.1 of the Respondent more so, as the 1st Respondent, has conceded that Grounds 1 and 3 from which the issues are distilled, could be subsumed under issue 1 of the Appellant.
What is Negligence In Black’s Law Dictionary, 8th Edition at pages 1062 to 1063, twenty eight (28) types or categories of negligence, are stated therein. At page 1061 thereof, negligence is generally defined as the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation; any conduct that falls below the legal standard established to protect others against unreasonable risk of harm, except for conduct that is intentionally, wantonly, or willfully disregardful of others’ rights.
It is settled that negligence, is a question of fact and not of law. So, each case must be decided in the light of the facts pleaded and proved. No one case, is exactly like another. See the case of Alhaji Kalla v. Jarmakani Transport Ltd. (1961) ANLR 778 @ 785 referring to the English. cases of Baker v. Longburst (E) & Sons Ltd. (1933) 2 KB. 461; 102 L.J. KB. 573; 149 L.T. 264; (1932) All E.R. Rep. 102 and Tart v. Chitty (G.W.) & Co. Ltd. (1933) 2 KB. 465; 102 L.J. K.B.568; 149 L.T. 261; (1931) All E.R. Rep. 826 .
I am aware and this is also settled in a number of decided cases by this Court that a Plaintiff, as a matter of law, is required, in an action on negligence, to state or give particulars of negligence alleged and to recover on the negligence pleaded in those particulars. It is not sufficient for a plaintiff to make a blanket allegation of negligence against a defendant on a claim of negligence without giving full particulars of the items of negligence relied on as well as the duty of care owed to him by the defendant. See the cases of Aku Nmecha Transport Services (Nia.) Ltd. & anor. v. Atulove (1993) 6.NWLR (pt.298) 233 @ 248 C.A; Kayo y. United Bank For Africa Ltd. (1997) 1 NWLR (pt.481) 251 @ 291; (1997) 1 SCNJ 41 @ 42 – per Iguh, ISC, citing the case of Umudje v. Shell-BP Petroleum Development Co. of Nig. Ltd. (1975) 9-11 S.C. 155 @ 166-167 and Seismograph Services Nig. Ltd. v. Mark (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt.304) 204 CA. cited in the Parties’ Briefs.
In the instant case leading to this appeal, the Appellant, does not dispute the fact that it received Exhibit “C” giving it instructions not to pay without a confirmation and clearance from the 1st Respondent. I note that the DW3- the said Branch Manager, swore and testified from page 66 of the Records. Under cross-examination, he testified inter alia, as follows:
“We drew the cheque on instructions of the Plaintiff It was the plaintiffs money. Plaintiff was our customer we owe him obligation to protect his interest and funds. He can only deal with us by giving us instruction. Before this incident MD of Partnership – ………(meaning the 1st Respondent) had dealt with me .for 2 – 3 years and has built a good customer Banker relationship. I would not like to see him loose (sic) his funds. I am to ensure the does not loose his funds (sic) (meaning I am to ensure he does not lose his funds), are dated 28/12/94 (i.e. the cheques). The letter asking me not to pay is dated 29/1/94. I had not paid out the funds by 29/12/94”.(the underlining mine)
As stated by the court below, the learned trial judge;
“graphically referred to and utilized the testimonies of these vital witnesses in his judgment and after evaluation of the totality of the evidence adduced before him concluded that the Appellant was negligent”.
I cannot agree more. The above is borne out from the Records especially at pages 101 to 103 of the Records. See also pages 272 to 274 of the Records. I cannot, with the greatest respect, fault those findings of facts of the learned trial judge who even referred to, the decision of this Court in the case of U.B.N. Ltd. v. Nwoye (1996) 3 NWLR (Pt.435) 137 (it is also reported in (1996) 2 SCNJ 222) where the following appear inter alia:
“the amount in the draft cheque even if credited to a customers account is not equivalent to cash lodgments. The customer has to wait until after the cheque has been cleared before it could be regarded as cash “.
It is noted by me early in this judgment that the Appellant, regarded itself as the Purchaser of the draft cheque. His Lordship held that the customary period for clearing must also be observed for drafts. As a matter of fact, as noted by the learned trial Judge;
“DW4 – the Deputy Manager in Banking Operations of the 2nd Respondent, testified that if she got similar instructions as that in Exhibit “C”, she would confirm from the customer before she pays. She said:-
“I am duty bound to confirm from the customer”.
The learned trial Judge held inter alia, at pages 101 and 102, as follows
“Since D.W3 knew the legal consequences of a draft he ought not to have advised P.W.1 to put such a request in writing. For what purpose may I ask. By the Bank, Manager telling P.W.1to put it in writing it is implied that he gave an undertaking that he would not pay until P.W.1. authorises him to pay. He has put on an added duty of care which is against the norm”.
He reproduced the said evidence of the DW3 also reproduced by the court below and myself above and found as a fact had held as follows:
“Examining D.W 3’s evidence it becomes clear to me that/here was an unusual rush to pay the cheques. Exhibit A and B and the customary 5 days or’ even 4 days for clearing was not observed in the case of Exhibit A (sic)”.
(the underlining mine)
I agree.
His Lordship, referred to part of the evidence of the DW 3 where he stated that he did not accede to the said request of the 1st Respondent and had the following to say, inter alia:-
“So what did he do, He chose to ignore it. In Negligence as it, relates to banks, the circumstances must be such that it would be prudent for the bank having been put on Notice to take certain steps before paying the cheque and if such steps are not taken or in a satisfactory manner short of negligence will arise.
A prudent banker would never ignore Exhibit C. Negligence implies want of care as would be expected for reasonable man (sic) to exercise in the circumstances. The issue of countermand does not arise in this case. This is case (sic) where clear instructions are given to a Bank Manager on how the customer expects his draft to be handled. The Branch Manager says he received the instructions before action on the drafts. Prudence demands that he ought to have told -the customer that a Draft once issued can no longer be recalled. Rather he kept silent, surely the customer is very much in order to beliefs (sic) that his instructions would be carried out ..
The Plaintiff pleaded that he gave similar instructions to credit Bank and the Bank obeyed his instructions. They did not pay the cheque. Surely it cannot be said that the 1st defendant (i.e. the Appellant) acted bona-fide and without negligence. .
Before concluding the issues, I note that a lot of fuss or heavy weather has been made by the Appellant in its Brief and by its learned leading counsel even at the hearing of the appeal as to the decision in the case of United Bank of Africa Ltd. v. Julius A. Ibhafidon (994) 1 NWLR (Pt.318) 90 CA. to the effect that a Bank Draft, is payable at sight and therefore, cannot be countermanded. That no duty of care can exist when the drafts were not capable of being countermanded.
Firstly, apart from the above case/decision of the Court of Appeal not being binding on this Court, the facts in the case, are not in all fours with the facts and circumstances of the case leading to the instant appeal. The facts in that case, are distinguishable from those in the instant appeal. For the avoidance of doubt and for the records, I will state those facts as appears in the Report.
“One Mr. Ehinola who was introduced to the respondent in this appeal claimed to have a large sum of money in dollars in his domiciliary accounts with the appellant herein. He offered to sell to the respondent at the rate of N4 to one US dollar. The respondent was not willing to take advantage of’ the offer unless he was able to confirm the claim of Mr. Ehinola to ascertain the liquidity position of the account. Mr. Ehinola and the respondent together went to the appellant’s central branch office in Lagos where the said Mr. Ehinola applied to withdraw the sum of $33,643.00 from his account. The Bank official told them to come back the following day. On getting there the following day the respondent was informed by the Bank official that he could proceed with the foreign exchange transaction as Mr, Ehinola has/had sufficient funds to accommodate the amount applied for by Mr. Ehfnola.
The respondent claimed he handed over N134,572.00, the naira equivalent of US$33,643.00 to Mr. Ehinola in the presence of the Bank official concerned and that thereafter the appellant, through one of its official drew up a Bank Draft No. 031069 for US$33,643.00 in his (respondent’s) favour and handed it over to him (respondent). The respondent went with the draft to the appellant’s branch in Benin and was informed that he will be able to encash the sum on the draft. He was advised to open an account with the draft which advise the ‘respondent complied with on 18/11/86 and he was’ allocated with an Account No. FCA/0003 with a teller with which he paid the draft into his account with the Bank The respondent was asked to call back at the Bank after 21 days to collect the proceeds of the draft. At the expiration of the 21 days, the respondent was not 9iven any money but was informed that nothing had been heard from the appellant’s head office in Lagos.
The appellant Bank later wrote’ a letter to the respondent repudiating any payment on the draft. The respondent as plaintiff therefore commenced this action and claimed in his Writ of Summon the sum of US$33,613.00 interest at 15% on the said sum.
The case for the appellant was that the domiciliary account of Mr. Ehinola’s was funded from a forged cheque. It is also contended that the respondent is not entitled to recover the proceeds the draft (sic) as the transaction or arrangement he made with Mr. Ehinola is illegal being in contravention of the Foreign Currency (Domiciliary Accounts) Decrees No. 18 of 1986 which forbids transactions in foreign exchange other than with an unauthorised dealer which the appellant claimed Mr. Ehinola was.
The defendant, not satisfied with the judgment of the trial court appealed to the Court of Appeal.
The following statutory provisions were considered in determination of the Appeal:
Sections 1(1), (2), (3), 2(1), 3(1), (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) and 6(1) of the Foreign Currency (Domiciliary Accounts) Act Cap. 151 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990”.
As a matter of fact, the issues are also not the same. Again, for the avoidance of doubt, I will reproduce the said issues. They read as follows:
“1. Whether the transaction between Mr. Ehinola who is a customer of the appellant Bank which gave rise to the issuance of the Bank Draft by the appellant Bank to the respondent was illegal under the Foreign Currency (Domiciliary Accounts) Decree No.8 of 1986.
- Whether the alleged subsequent discovery of forgery in the New York City Bank Account of B. J. Ehinola was proved before the trial court and if proved whether such a forgery justified the appellant’s subsequent dishonour of its own verified and certified Bank Draft.
- Whether the learned trial Judge was right in awarding to the respondent by way of damages the face value of the Bank ,Draft in US Dollars or Foreign Currency and whether he was right to have awarded Post-Judgment interest too”.
The Court of Appeal – per Ejiwunmi, JCA(as he then was), held that the said Bank had a duty to have honoured its draft already issued to that plaintiff/respondent and then proceed against the drawer to recover its money which could be done by simply debiting the drawer’s account if it had not already done so and then, call on him to come and credit his account with more funds. In the instant case, in my respectful view, if the Appellant had obeyed the instructions of the 1st Respondent, those who should have complained or have a cause of action against the Appellant, should have been both or one of the beneficiaries of the said drafts. In that case, the Appellant could have applied to join the 1st Respondent or the 1st Respondent could have applied to be joined in any such suit if and where the said beneficiaries or anyone of them, did not sue the 1″ Respondent for breach or seek specific performance.
In other words, it was held inter alia, that;
“It is common knowledge that while a Banker may refuse to honour an ordinary cheque on the ground that the drawer has no money in his account to cover the amount in the cheque, a Bank Draft on the other hand is payable at sight regardless of whether the person on whose behalf the draft was issued had money in his account at the material time or not”.
The above is clear and .unambiguous. The scenario, facts and/or circumstances, are distinguishable from the instant case. Although I hold that the trial court, was in error when it stated at page 128 of the Records that “This is a case where before drafts were issued instructions were given to the 1st defendant…”, I have noted in this judgment that it is not in dispute that it was on the 28th December, 1994, that the drafts were issued, while the instruction was given on the 29th December, 1994. There is also evidence that the Appellant was still in possession of the drafts when he received the instructions and had not yet paid to the beneficiaries. It is well established that mistake or error in a judgment is immaterial. In other words, that it is not every mistake or error of a trial Judge, that will vitiate the entire judgment more so, if there are other evidence to support his said judgment. See the cases of Ukejianya v. Uchendu (1950) 13 WACA 45 @ 46; Onajobi v. Olanipekun (1985) 4 S.C. (Pt.2) 156@ 163 and many others.
It is clear to me that if there is a law, practice or Bank rule that a customer cannot and has no power to give such instruction, the said Manager, could have refused the oral request of the PW1, but rather, he asked him to put it in writing, which was an implied assurance or undertaking that he would comply with the said instruction. At no time did he inform the PW1 that the Bank or himself, has a duty to give value to the drafts when presented for payment by the beneficiaries. I therefore, hold that the facts and circumstances in the case of UBA Ltd. v. Ibhafidon (supra) is not applicable in the instant case. It is cited and relied on with respect, out of con. I so hold. Afterwards, the latin maxim is “UBI JUS IBI REMEDIUM”
This is why it is important and it is also advisable that learned counsel appearing in this Court in particular or in any other court for that matter, should not rely heavily on the ratios of the Editor, without reading the entirety of a judgment Failure to do so, invariably, results in learned counsel often, citing a decided authority out of con The duty of a Banker as admitted by the DW3,is to protect the interest of his customer and protect his money.
I have deliberately gone this far, because, as noted by me earlier in this Judgment, each case, has to be decided on its own peculiar or particular facts and circumstances. In my respectful view, where a person has acted in good faith and another is damnified by such an act, I believe that the words “I am sorry” are a “balm” that can heal all wounds. But where one Persists in justifying such a wrongful act as has happened in this case leading to this appeal by the Appellant, a court of justice including this Court, must see and allow justice to prevail even if the heavens fall although it will not fall. The court below, refused to disturb the findings of fact of the learned trial Judge. In the circumstances, it was justified to do so. I affirm the said decision. What emerges, is that there are concurrent findings of facts or Judgments by the two lower courts. This Court, will not interfere. My answers therefore, to Issues (i) and (ii) of the Appellant and Issue 4.2.1 of the 1st Respondent, are in the Affirmative/Positive.
In respect of Issue (iii) of the Appellant and Issue 4.2.2 of the 1st Respondent, the general rule at Common Law, is that interest is not payable on a debt or loan in the absence of express agreement or some course of dealing or custom to that effect. See London Chattam and Dover Railway v. South Eastern Railway (1893) A.C 249. Thus, interest will however, be payable where there is an express agreement to that effect and such an agreement, may be inferred from a course of dealing between the parties. See Re-Duncan and Co, (1905) 1 Ch. 307 or where an obligation to pay interest arises from the common or usage of a particular trade or business and I add like in banking. See the case of Alfotrin Ltd (The Owners of M V Fotini) v. The Attorney-General of the Federation & anor. (1996) 9 NWLR (Pt.475) 634 @ 638: (1996) 12 SCNJ 236 @ 264.
It is also settled that the High Court, has an inherent power to make Orders even if not sought where such orders, are “incidental” to the prayers sought. . In other words, a Plaintiff may be given such equitable relief as he may be entitled to even though he has not specifically asked for one. See the case of Ndah v, Attorney-General Bendel State & ors. (1976) 6 U.I.L.R. (Pt.II) 266 @ 278.
The power of a court to award interests was provided in Section 12 High Court Law of Lagos State. Some Rules of courts provide that the court, may order or award interest at a rate not exceeding (then) 10% per cent per annum to be paid upon any judgment commencing from the date thereof of if afterwards as the case may be. See for instance, Order 40 Rule 7 of the |High Court of Kano State (Civil Procedure Rules, 1988). See the case of Kano ile Printers PLC v. Alhaji Ahmed Tukar (1999) 2 NWLR (Pt.589) 78 @ 85 CA. See also Order 39 Rule 7 of High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004.
Also settled, is that it is not in every case that evidence has to be adduced in respect of interest claimed before interest is awarded. That is certain case, even failure to claim interest in the Writ of Summons or Statement of Claim, will not preclude a successful plaintiff, from praying for and being awarded interest after judgment had been entered for an amount. See the case of Nigerian General Superintendence Co. Ltd v. The Nigerian Ports Authority (1990) 1 NWLR (Pt.129) 741@ 748 C.A. I am also aware that the general rule, is that monetary judgment, attracts appropriate interest even where none is claimed. See the case of Augustine F. I. Ibama v. Shell Petroleum Development Co. or Nigeria Ltd. (1998) 3 NWLR (Pt.542) 493 @ 500 C.A. – Per Uwaifo, JCA (as he then was).
In my respectful and firm view, the 1st Respondent claimed interest. The instance of the Appellant in this matter, is unfortunate especially where its defence to the action, is made in very bad faith. I am even of the view that the 1st Respondent, was entitled to exemplary damages in all the circumstances of this case as the two lower courts in their respective judgment, demonstrated. However, the learned trial judge refused the claim for damages. However, in view of the Provisions of the said Order 39 Rule 7 of the High Court Rules (supra), I am very reluctantly, reducing the interest payable to the 1st Respondent to 10% (ten percent) payable to it by the Appellant from the 12th of April, 2000 until the entire judgment debt, is liquidated.
In the final analysis/result, although my answers to the said issue (iii) of the Appellant and Issue 4.2.2 of the 1st Respondent, are also in the Affirmative/Positive, but in all the circumstances having regard to the afore-said Rule of Court, the interest is hereby reduced as aforestated. This appeal fails save as it affects the interest payable to the 1st Respondent by the Appellant. I hereby affirm the decision of the court below affirming the Judgment of the trial court in respect of the principal sum awarded.
Costs follow the amount. The 1st Respondent is entitled to costs of N50,000.00 (fifty thousand naira) payable to it by the Appellant.
SC.26/2002
