Just Decided Cases

MOBIL OIL (NIGERIA) LIMITED VS J.M. JOHNSON

Legalpedia Citation: (1961-03) Legalpedia 92174 (SC)

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Holden at Lagos

Wed Mar 22, 1961

Suit Number: SC.75/1960

CORAM


ADEMOLA, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

BRETT, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

UNSWORTH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT


PARTIES


APPELLANTS


J.M. JOHNSON

RESPONDENTS 


AREA(S) OF LAW


ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION   1960   FSC 207/1959   [1960] NSCC 41

LAND LAW – LEASES-LICENSEE-THE LAW OF CONTRACT- DAMAGES

 


SUMMARY OF FACTS

ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION   1960   FSC 207/1959   [1960] NSCC 41

The appellant gave the respondent its filling station to run under an agreement which entitles the respondent to payment of commission and to 30 days notice to determine the agreement. The respondent was to recommend workers for employment at the station by the appellant and appellant was to train the workers including the respondent.

 


HELD


ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION   1960   FSC 207/1959   [1960] NSCC 41

The court held that the relationship between the parties is that of a licensor and licensee and that the respondent was only entitled to damages for 7 days the notice was short under the agreement.

 


ISSUES


ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION   1960   FSC 207/1959   [1960] NSCC 41

Whether the relationship between the appellant and respondent was that of a landlord and tenant.

 


RATIONES DECIDENDI


ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION 1960 FSC 207/1959 [1960] NSCC 41


THE NATURE OF A DOCUMENT IS DETERMINED BY ITS CONTENTS AND NOT THE EMPLOYMENT OF PARTICULAR TERMS.

‘The parties to an agreement cannot, however, turn a lease into a licence merely by stating that the document is to be deemed a licence or describing it as such; the relationship of the parties is determined by law on a consideration of all relevant provisions of the agreement, nor will the employment of words appropriate to a lease prevent the agreement from conferring a licence only if from the whole document it appears that it was intended merely to confer a licence.’ Per Ademola C.J.F

 


CASES CITED


ALASAN BABATUNDE, AJAGUNNA II OLUKARE OF IKARE VS GOVERNOR, WESTERN REGION   1960   FSC 207/1959   [1960] NSCC 41

R. A. Balogun  v. U.A.C. and anor. – F.S.C. 121/1958 decided 16-2-59.

In the case Booker  v. Palmer (1942) 2 ALL. E.R. 674

Isaac v. Hotel de Paris Ltd. (1960) 1 ALL E.R. 348

Minister of Health v. Bellotti and Holiday (1944) 1 ALL E.R. 238

 


STATUTES REFERRED TO


Not Available

 


CLICK HERE TO READ FULL JUDGMENT

Esther ORIAH

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