Principle Archive

A decision not on the merits could not qualify as a defence through the principle of res judicata.

Without prejudice to the powers of the President or the Governor of a State with respect to prerogative of mercy, no appeal shall lie to any…

Where a claim which had been dismissed by a court is cleverly split into multiple claims in a subsequent suit, the doctrine of estoppel per rem…

Res judicata operates not only against the party whom it affects, but also against the jurisdiction of the court itself. The party affected is estopped from…

For the doctrine of estoppel per rem judicatam to apply, it must be shown that the parties (or their privies) are the same; the facts in…

Where a party, undeterred by the dismissal of an application to the Supreme Court to amend its decision, brings a fresh action on the same subject…

The court cannot assume the functions of the Chieftaincy Committee as regards the making of declarations of customary law governing the selection and appointment of traditional…

The finality of the decisions of the Supreme Court in civil proceedings is absolute unless specifically set aside by later legislation. The justices are fallible, but…

There is no common employment where the employees are engaged in different departments of duty.

The doctrine of common employment applies where the injured party is a fellow-servant of the party causing the injury and both are engaged in a common…

The doctrine of common employment was never part of the common law of Northern Nigeria after 1948, and it is consequently not necessary for a law…

The common law of England adopted under section 28(a) of the High Court Law of Northern Nigeria did not include the doctrine of common employment, which…