May 26, 2025
Legalpedia Citation: (2009) Legalpedia (SC) 21731 In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Fri Dec 18, 2009 Suit Number: SC.26/2002 CORAM MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT IKECHI FRANCIS […]
CORAM
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
CHRISTOPHER MITCHEL CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
CHRISTOPHER MITCHEL CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MUHAMMAD SAIFULLAH MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
IKECHI FRANCIS OGBUAGU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
MAHMUD MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
DIAMOND BANK LTD. APPELLANTS
PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT CO. LTD
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The 1st respondent was a customer of the appellant bank, the 1st respondent claimed that the bank honored cheques which they were instructed in writing not to pay without confirmation and clearance from the 1st respondent. The trial court found in favour of the 1st respondent. The appellant unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, hence this appeal.
HELD
Appeal dismissed
ISSUES
(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 in the circumstances of this case, the Court of Appeal was right in finding that the Appellant was liable in negligence?
RATIONES DECIDENDI
A PLAINTIFF CAN GET AN EQUITABLE RELIEF NOT EXPRESSLY ASKED FOR
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. Per OGBUAGU, JSC
MEANING OF “WITHOUT NEGLIGENCE” IN SECTION 82 OF THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE ACT
The onus of proving that transacting payments of the drafts is “without negligence” is on the part of the appellant as clearly provided in Section 82 of the Bills of Exchange Act. Per CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JSC
EVIDENCE NEED NOT BE ADDUCED BEFORE INTEREST CLAIMED IS AWARDED
It is not in every case that evidence has to be adduced in respect of interest claimed before interest is awarded. Per OGBUAGU, JSC
WHEN THERE IS NO AGREEMENT TO PAY INTEREST ON A DEBT
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. Per OGBUAGU, JSC
PLAINTIFF REQUIRED TO GIVE PARTICULARS OF NEGLIGENCE
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. Per OGBUAGU, JSC
CASES CITED
1. Aku Nmecha Transport Services (Nia.) Ltd. & anor. v. Atulove (1993) 6.NWLR (pt.298) 233 @ 248 C.A;
2. Kayo y. United Bank For Africa Ltd. (1997) 1 NWLR (pt.481) 251 @ 291; (1997) 1 SCNJ 41 @ 42
3. Ndah v, Attorney-General Bendel State & ors. (1976) 6 U.I.L.R. (Pt.II) 266 @ 278.
4. Umudje v. Shell-BP Petroleum Development Co. of Nig. Ltd. (1975) 9-11 S.C. 155 @ 166-167
5. London Chattam and Dover Railway v. South Eastern Railway (1893) A.C 249.
6. Nigerian General Superintendence Co. Ltd v. The Nigerian Ports Authority (1990) 1 NWLR (Pt.129) 741@ 748
7. Hannan’s Lake View Central Ltd. v. Armstrong & Co. (1900) 16 T.L.R. 236
STATUTES REFERRED TO
1. High Court Law of Lagos State
2. Bills of Exchange Act Cap.B8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.