CORAM

KUDIRAT M. O. KEKERE-EKUN     JUSTICE,  SUPREME COURT

AUGUSTINE NNAMANI, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

PARTIES

ATANUGA AND COMPANY APPELLANTS

RESPONDENTS

AREA(S) OF LAW

SUMMARY OF FACTS

The Plaintiff/Respondent sued the Defendant/Appellant under the undefended. The appellant filed notice to defend the action. The learned trial Judge held that the appellant’s defence was a sham. He entered judgment against the appellant in the terms of the writ of summons. An appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed, hence this appeal.

HELD

Dismissing the appeal

ISSUES

(1) Whether the Court of Appeal was not in error when it held that the entire proceedings before Hon. Kurede J (sic) were not rendered a nullity by the fact that the purported defendant was not a juristic or legal person.(2) Whether the Court of Appeal was right when it affirmed the decision of the High Court that the Appellant’s notice of intention to defend and affidavit in support did not disclose sufficient facts and materials constituting a defence on the merit.

RATIONES DECIDENDI

CASES CITED

1. Shittu v Ligali (1941) 16 N.L.R. 212. Agbonmagbe Bank Ltd v General Manager G.B. Ollivant Ltd and Anor (1961) All N.L.R. 1163. Fawehinmi v N.B.A. (No.2) (1989) 2 N.W.L.R. (Pt.105) 558, 4. Knight and Sealie v Dove (1964) 2 All ER 307 at 301 5. Carlen (Nig) Ltd v Unijos (1994) 1 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 323) 631.6. Iyke Medical Merchandise v Pfizer Inc. (2001) 10 N.W.L.R. (Pt.722) 540 at 565; (2001) 6 SCM, 1097. Macaulay v NAL Merchant Bank Ltd (1990) 4 N.W.L.R. (Pt.144) 283 at 324-3258. Bendel Construction Co. Ltd v Anglocan Development Co (Nig) Ltd (1972) ALL N.L.R. (Pt.1) 153.9. John Holt & Co. (Liverpool) Ltd v Fajemirokun (1961) All N.L.R. 492.10. Nishzawa Ltd v Jethwani (1984) 1 SC 324; 11. F.M.G. v Sani (1990) 4 N.W.L.R. (Pt.147) 688 at 713.

STATUTES REFERRED TO

Kaduna State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1987 ?

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